AUSTIN, Texas – ARI RAMIREZ scored a goal 21 minutes into the second half, and the St. Edward's women's soccer defense made several key stands over the final minutes to deliver the Hilltoppers a 2-1 lead over Angelo State in the conference opener. 
 
Both teams scored early in rapid succession on ambitious shots. St. Edward's earned a throw-in deep into their attacking third but had the pass intercepted. Angelo State tried to clear the ball through the middle.
 
Lurking near midfield, MADDI DAVIS jumped the passing lane at an all-out sprint to knock the ball loose with her first touch, then rocketed a shot from outside the box past Angelo State keeper Amber Lockwood for the game's first goal in the 11th minute. 
 
Angelo State answered 16 seconds later, going to work quickly after the kickoff with Allyson Reed finding the back of the net from deep outside the box to tie the game. 
 
The Rambelles put the pressure on the Hilltoppers with a 6-3 advantage in shot attempts and 4-0 in corner kicks before the break, but St. Edward's keeper DARIA SCHLUMBOHM had three saves in the half to keep the game tied. 
 
Near the 66-minute mark, CAITLYN GONZALEZ found TRISTYN CABELLO, who immediately delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Ramirez on the overlap. Ramirez broke past the final line of defense and caught Lockwood too far up in the box, lofting a shot over Angelo State's keeper for the game-winner. 
 
Angelo State generated several dangerous opportunities with three corner kicks over the last 10 minutes, but the Hilltopper defense utilized an entire team effort to clear each attempt. 
 
St. Edward's improves to 2-1-1 with a 1-0 conference record. The Hilltoppers will travel to Denton, Texas, this weekend to play at Texas Woman's University on Saturday at 1 p.m.