BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A fourth matchup of the season between two Heartland Conference foes proved to be another tight battle in the NCAA Sweet 16 at Harrington Field, as Dallas Baptist would escape with a narrow 1-0 victory over St. Edward's.
 
Dallas Baptist (15-3-3) struck first as Ashley Cox cut the ball back on the left side and laced a shot from 15 yards away. The far post attempt found the side netting past a diving LORRIE SANTOY for a 1-0 Patriot lead.
 
The Patriots almost made it 2-0 in the 12^th minute when they corralled a loose ball at the top of the box. It found its way to McKenna Namken whose point-blank shot from six yards out was stonewalled by Santoy.
 
Dallas Baptist would tally seven shots in the first half, but it was St. Edward's (14-6-1) who tried for a late push. The Hilltoppers earned a cornerkick in the 42^nd minute. Just minutes later, JENNIFER BOUDREAU won a ball just inside the box. She turned towards goal a ripped a shot to the far post. The Patriot goalkeeper made a sprawling save to keep the 1-0 lead at halftime.

 

In the second half, St. Edward's controlled the pace of play looking for the equalizing goal. The Hilltoppers opened with back-to-back shots from KELLY ANDRUS and VIKTORIA MALMROS. Andrus' shot was on goal but saved by the keeper. Substitute ELIN ROSENBERG CEMAZAR got off a shot in the 77^th minute, but St. Edward's went silent for next 10 minutes. In the 89^th minute, Boudreau made a run in the penalty box, and was taken down to create a penalty kick opportunity.
 
KATIE DONAHUE stepped up to take the penalty kick. Having converted all three of her penalties in the regular season, Donahue was poised to knot the score and send the match into overtime. Donahue's strike was stopped by the Patriot goalkeeper Jenna Ackerly, as she guessed the correct way.
 
The game and season would end for the Hilltoppers after a valiant effort in which they laid everything out on the field.
 
"I thought the second half of the game we came out incredibly hard and were definitely the aggressors," Donahue said. "Unfortunately, we were not able to put two halves together or maximize our opportunities. The game doesn't always go as you hope, especially when it is in your hands, but sometimes it just doesn't work out."

 

Dallas Baptist outshot St. Edward's, 9-7, but both teams had four shots on goals. The Hilltoppers had more cornerkicks than the Patriots, 5-1.
 
St. Edward's ends its season at 14-6-1, as it advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 round for the fifth time in 10 seasons with Head Coach Nick Cowell at the helm.
 
"That was a hard way to end the season, but I am proud the way this team competed and represented St. Edward's University on the field," Cowell said. "The early goal by Dallas Baptist took us out of our game plan, and we took time to adjust. The team played a great second half though and deserved to take the game into overtime. Congratulations to DBU. They have a great program, and we look forward to competing with them again next season."
 
Donahue talked about the season as whole: "I'm really proud of this team for making it this far. We fought very hard and came together when we needed to at the end. We had a lot of ups and downs that we went through as a team, and I am just so happy for this group of girls."