AUSTIN – St. Edward's women's soccer hosted its second nationally-ranked team in as many weeks, dropping a hard-fought 1-0 decision to the No. 17 West Texas A&M Buffaloes. 

West Texas A&M entered the game as the second-ranked scoring team in the Lone Star Conference, featuring a dynamic duo in Maria-Frances Serrant and Asha James, who are ninth and 26th in the nation in total goals. 

The duo from Trinidad & Tobago combined fast-twitch pace and dynamic ball skills to pressure the Hilltopper defense early, generating two of the Buffs' first three shot attempts through the first 20 minutes of play. 

CAITLYN GONZALEZ and the Hilltoppers countered with several long runs into their attacking third. Still, they failed to connect on the final pass or touch to generate a dangerous shot until KATIE FITZPATRICK put one on goal just under 20 minutes into the contest. 

St. Edward's defensive back line did a phenomenal job stopping Serrant and James in open space, poking the ball free, or delivering a well-executed slide tackle to disrupt their runs. Still, the duo was able to connect on a quick-hitter out of a throw-in at the 21-minute mark.

James received the throw-in on the right side at the edge of the box. She made the quick turn to the outside, sealing her defender and pushing the ball into space before delivering the cross to Serrant in perfect stride for the one-touch goal off the right foot into the right side, just past the outstretched arms of a diving ABBY CARLSON for the game-winner. 

St. Edward's opened the second half with a surge of energy, opening with a corner kick and shot in the first five minutes, followed by a run of four shots in four minutes. 

West Texas A&M shifted to a bend-but-don't-break defensive philosophy, content to stay back in a shell and make quick counters. St. Edward's generated nine more shot attempts than West Texas A&M in the second half at 12-3. The Hilltoppers generated several opportunities in the box but had to mostly settle for ambitious shots from a distance with West Texas A&M packing the defensive third. 

St. Edward's drops to 8-3-3 with a 4-2-2 conference record. The Hilltoppers will have the weekend off and travel next Wednesday to play the University of Texas at Tyler at 5:00 p.m.