AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's women's soccer team defeated Texas A&M-International, 2-0, Monday afternoon to clinch the regular season Heartland Conference title.
 
St. Edward's (12-4, 8-0 HC) started the game with a number of players registering their first start of the year. The Heartland Conference Tournament seeding was set prior to the match.
 
Both teams battled for possession in the midfield to begin the game, however, St. Edward's had a number of opportunities that resulted in scoring chances as they had three cornerkicks between the 23^rd and the 24^th minutes of play. The cornerkicks resulted in two blocked shots and a nice save on JESSICA DRAPER's attempt by Chelsea Knaack.
 
Coach Cowell elected to keep a similar starting lineup in the second half which featured a number of players that had seen limited playing time throughout the season. However players like TAYLOR SETTECERRI, ZOE ANSELL and Elin Rosenberg-Cemenzar continued to put pressure on the Texas A&M -International defense and controlled possession throughout the majority of the game.
 
RIANA SOOBADOO was subbed into the game and proved to be the spark the Hilltoppers needed to seize the momentum. JESSICA WILLIAMSON recovered a loose ball in the middle field a sent it back into the Texas A&M box, the ball floated over the defense to the foot of Soobadoo who took a quick touch before placing the shot past the keeper for a 1-0 Hilltopper lead.
 
St. Edward's pressed forward and drew a foul in the penalty box during the 84^th minute. Elin Cemazar drew the foul and stepped up to take the penalty kick. She finished by placing the ball just to the right of the keeper to give the Hilltoppers a 2-0 lead.
 
Texas A&M International (7-6-1, 5-3 HC) nearly broke through with a goal as a pass from the midfield sprung Kim Garcia free. She had a one-on-one opportunity with Hilltopper keeper SAMANTHA DIER, but Dier stood strong a saved the point blank shot at the top of box to preserve the shutout victory. 
 
An elated Nick Cowell told us the following, "I was so proud of the team today! We were able to rest our normal starters and it shows the depth of our program in that our reserves beat the third place Heartland Conference team. The heart of the team was ZOE ANSELL who set the intensity level from her defensive midfield position. I was also impressed with some of the offensive moves from KATIE KING and Elin Rosenberg-Cemezar, and the defense of JESSICA WILLIAMSON and SYDNEY CARROLL."
 
When asked about the mindset of the team leading up to the Heartland Conference tournament that starts Thursday, Cowell replied, "The mindset has to be one of excitement to be playing well. Every game from now on is single elimination. You try your best and rest between games, it's important that we bring a high energy level to each and every contest."
 
St. Edward's will host this year's Heartland Conference tournament as they play fourth-seeded St. Mary's Thursday at LC Family Field. The action starts at noon and the winner will advance to the championship game this Saturday.