CANYON, Texas – St. Edward's women's soccer gave itself an opportunity with a corner kick with less than 30 seconds remaining but was turned away by the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs as time expired in a 2-1 loss in the Lone Star Conference Tournament quarterfinals. 

The Hilltoppers created an early opportunity on a long, diagonal pass from KATIE GAY to Elena Ramos Banet into open space in the deep left corner. Unfortunately, Ramos Banet could not connect solidly on the shot attempt that was easily turned away by West Texas A&M keeper Reagan Heelan. 

A few minutes later, West Texas A&M took advantage of a free kick created when Maliyan Mendoza drew a foul from Ramos Banet on a spin move a few feet outside the Lady Buffs' attacking third. Emily Avila triggered the free kick, sending a bending pass to Ashley Silvestre in perfect stride for the header to take the lead. 

St. Edward's survived a barrage of shots, including three from conference leading scorer Maria-Frances Serrant. They generated a late scoring opportunity on a free kick from MADDI DAVIS, whose shot hit the left woodwork as time expired in the half. 

West Texas A&M put the Hilltoppers back on their heels to start the second half, blitzing St. Edward's with four shots in the first two minutes, scoring on a quick counter off a turnover. West Texas A&M intercepted a pass near midfield and immediately moved the ball ahead to Serrant in a gap between St. Edward's back three defenders. Serrant rocketed a shot stopped by a diving ABBY CARLSON, but the ball ricocheted to Nicole Gray, who scored the opportunistic goal. 

St. Edward's got on the scoreboard with a goal by KATIE GAY at the 63-minute mark. MADDI DAVIS made a long pass over the top of the defense to TRISTYN CABELLO, who immediately dropped it back to Gay with an angle toward the net. Gay took an ambitious shot from a few feet beyond the box, delivering a perfect ball into the upper-right corner of the net over Heelan's outstretched arms. 

The Hilltoppers controlled possession for most of the final minute, working the ball into the deep right corner and earning the corner kick. St. Edward's moved everyone, including the goalkeeper, into the box for a final attempt, with EMMA VIQUEZ launching the kick with less than nine seconds remaining and the West Texas A&M defense knocking the ball away to hold onto the win. 

West Texas A&M held a 17-10 shot advantage, putting 10 on goal. The Hilltoppers end the season with a 9-6-4 record.