AUSTIN, Texas - In an extended addition to the Battle of the Saints matchup, St. Edward's defeated their rival St. Mary's in overtime Friday by a score of 2-1 in the Heartland Conference semifinals. The Hilltoppers advance to the Heartland Conference Championship game on Saturday versus Dallas Baptist.
 
St. Edward's (13-4) nearly struck gold in the opening minutes as MEGAN ANDERSON's attempt on goal was saved by Rattler goalkeeper Alyssa Taramona in the fifth minute. The rest of the first half was relatively quiet as both teams combined for just seven shots, none of which challenged either keeper.
 
The second half featured a key adjustment as Hilltopper Head Coach Nick Cowell moved JENNIFER BOUDREAU upfield to a forward position. It paid off immediately as the Hilltoppers found the first goal of the game. ZOE ANSELL chipped a pass over to MIKAYLA ENGEL who was boxing out a much smaller Rattler defender. Engel put her head on the ball, knocking it down to the feet of Boudreau who put the ball in the back of the net from five yards out.
 
St. Mary's (8-10) only registered one shot attempt in the second half, but it came at a key time. The Rattlers had a three-consecutive cornerkicks that put a lot of pressure on the St. Edward's defense. Eventually, Katie Kasperitis' attempt found the head of Brittney Lacek who tied up the game with a goal far post.
 
St. Edward's quickly retaliated, and LIBBY FISH's attempt from 25 yards out nearly curled in from left to right, but it bounced off the crossbar just out of the reach of the keeper. Several minutes later, WHYTNEIGH DUFFIE's shot from the top of the box found the crossbar once again.
 
The game would head into overtime with a golden goal scenario for both teams. In the 95^th minute, St. Edward's pressed the ball in the Rattler box and a cross went to the ride side of the field. After a couple of deflections, the ball took a skip towards KATIE DONAHUE who blasted a shot to the far post with her first touch. The ball zipped past a wall of defenders and found the far post for the golden goal and a 2-1 victory.
 
Donahue spent a few minutes with us after the game and gave us a play-by-play of the goal. "I stayed on the back post and saw it bounce near me. I told myself I had to crush it and it went in" Donahue said. "We told each other to play like we did in the second half and get off as many shots as possible."
 
Nick Cowell echoed Donahue's comments saying, "I thought as the game went on we got stronger and our fitness took over in the second half." He also went on to say "I thought Jen Boudreau played really well in the second half and MEGAN ANDERSON dominated in the air and in possession."
 
The Hilltoppers will face Dallas Baptist this Saturday at Lewis-Chen Family Field. Kickoff is set for noon and the winner will earn a berth in the NCAA South Central Regional next week. The two teams split their two games this season with each team winning, 1-0 on the road.