AUSTIN, Texas – The 22^nd-ranked St. Edward's Women's Soccer team used a dominating 2-0 win over rival St. Mary's Thursday afternoon at Lewis-Chen Family Field to secure the second seed in next week's Heartland Conference Tournament.
 
From the start, St. Edward's started its attack on the St. Mary's goal with two shots in the first five minutes. In the seventh minute, a St. Edward's player was fouled in the penalty box. KATIE DONAHUE stepped in and notched her third penalty kick goal of the year.
 
The Hilltoppers controlled the rest of the first half as they outshot the Rattlers, 6-0.
 
In the second half, St. Edward's had four early shots but came up empty each time. With the Rattlers hanging around, Lauren Peck sent the first St. Mary's shot on goal in the 61^st minute, but goalkeeper LORRIE SANTOY made the save. Six minutes later, the Hilltoppers got the all-important second goal to go ahead 2-0.
 
KATIE DONAHUE sent a long ball ahead to forward KELLY ANDRUS, who touched it ahead to ELIN ROSENBERG CEMAZAR. The forward went top-shelf over the Rattler goalkeeper for her third goal of the season.
 
"Honestly, the play is a bit of a blur," Rosenberg-Cemazar said. "I saw an open shot, and I took it. It can get a little frustrating when the goals don't come. We just have to keep are heads up and know that they will. That is what happened today."
 
From that point on, the Hilltopper defense stiffened and did not allow another shot by the visitors. They would outshoot the opposition, 16-1, when it was all said and done.
 
"We have had a very solid season," head coach Nick Cowell said. "We have a young team, and our freshmen have really improved throughout the course of the year. As a team, we have learned a lot and are primed for postseason play."
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Thursday for the first day of the Heartland Conference Championship Tournament. They will take on Lubbock Christian at 4:30 p.m. in the semifinals. The other semifinal will involve hosts Dallas Baptist against St. Mary's at 7 p.m. The winners will meet Saturday for the championship at 12 p.m. All games will be played at Patriot Field and will have live video and stats on the Dallas Baptist Website.