AUSTIN – The St. Edward's Hilltoppers women's soccer team overcame an early relentless press and shaky start to defeat the No. 14-ranked Emporia State Hornets. 

Emporia opened the match swarming the pitch, stepping into passing lanes to intercept lethargic passes to generate scoring opportunities. The Hornets shelled the Hilltoppers early with four shots and three corner kicks in the first 10 minutes. 

All-American Mackenzie Dimarco was especially tough for the Hilltoppers to track, testing the defense with two dangerous shots within a minute of each other, sending one off the left woodwork. 

The Hornets finally broke through at the 17-minute mark. St. Edward's goalkeeper ABBY CARLSON made a beautiful diving save to stop a Dimarco shot, but Hannah Woolery tracked down the rebound and took advantage of the empty net for the game's first goal. 

Midway through the first half the match paused for a hydration break, allowing the Hilltoppers an opportunity to regain their composure and get a foothold in the game. St. Edward's controlled possession the rest of the way, moving the ball and bodies to wear out the Hornets. 

St. Edward's tied the game at the 26-minute mark off the foot of CAITLYN GONZALEZ. Junior REBEKKA REHRER made a long run down the field, beating the left-back and finding Gonzales with a perfect cutback pass to Gonzalez for the one-touch goal off her left foot. 

Emporia made what would be its last serious push of the match with three corner kicks in the final five minutes of the half, being turned away without a single shot attempt. 

St. Edward's controlled the second half, spending most of the final 45 minutes in their own attacking third with a 9-2 advantage in shots taken after the break. Still, the game remained tied through most of half, thanks in large part to the tenacious work of Emporia's All-MIAA defender Joanie Westcoat, breaking up several opportunities until TRISTYN CABELLO nailed the game-winner 84 minutes in. 

An exhausted Gonzales made one final run into space in the right corner, finding Cabello near the top-left portion of the box for the goal. 

St. Edward's KATIE GAY created one more scoring attempt stopped by Emporia's keeper and the Hilltoppers were able to stall the rest of the way, keeping possession in the deep corners to earn four corner kicks in the final few minutes. 

Women's soccer improves to 2-0 this season. The Hilltoppers will host another nationally-ranked team in No. 8 University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.