DALLAS, Texas – In a matchup against its fiercest rival, the 14th-ranked St. Edward's Women's Soccer team couldn't overcome an early red card as it fell to Dallas Baptist, 2-0, Thursday evening at Patriot Field.
 
St. Edward's (4-2) and Dallas Baptist (3-3-2) were evenly matched for the first half of the opening period. With each team putting a shot on goal, it looked as if there would be another battle between the two Heartland Conference elites.
 
In the 28^th minute, Hilltopper defender KELSEY KOHLER was whistled for a foul and received a red card for her actions. St. Edward's would have to play the rest of the game short a player.
 
Most teams would go into defensive mode to try and pull out a tie, but not the Hilltoppers. The visitors matched the Patriots in shots in the first half with five. St. Edward's even had one more shot on goal than the hosts.
 
In the second half, Dallas Baptist finally broke through with the Hilltoppers having to chase the extra player. A shot by Cecily Martinez hit the cross bar in the 52^nd minute and Lindsey Eccles was there for the rebound for her second goal of the year.
 
The Patriots got their second goal of the match in the 65^th minute when McKenna Namken notched her first goal of the season.
 
St. Edward's was outshot in the second half, 6-2.
 
The Hilltoppers had won the previous two meetings between the two squads and 10 of the last 14 matchups, but it was the Patriots who got the nod this evening, making up for their crushing loss to St. Edward's in last season's NCAA First Round.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Thursday when they travel to take on Oklahoma Christian in their Heartland Conference opener. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Eagle Soccer Field. Live coverage can be found on the Eagle Athletic Website.