AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's Hilltoppers men's soccer team dropped its home opener to the No. 20-ranked University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) Mountain Lions on a late goal in the final 11 minutes of play. 
 
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs put pressure up top, putting together a string of dangerous balls midway through the first half, sending one off the woodwork and another off the right post. 
 
St. Edward's settled in with defensive resolve and an aggressive attack, generating seven shots in the first half with three on goal, testing UCCS keeper Soren Russell. The Hilltoppers also got quality first-half minutes off the bench from JETHRO VOURJOLO and Dean Roggenbuaer, who each had close calls with an ambitious attempt off the woodwork and another just wide. 
 
The Hilltoppers also got another key defensive play from MARTIN TELLEZ late in the half. Tellez carried a high work rate 40 minutes into the match and had nearly exhausted his reserves in the 105-degree weather. Then, as a UCCS forward broke free on the right side into the Mountain Lions' attacking third, Tellez mustered up a full sprint from near midfield to overtake the forward, breaking up a dangerous run to help preserve a 0-0 tie heading into the half. 
 
St. Edward's continued to carry its aggressive play into the second half, battling the nationally-ranked team on even terms and generating a 7-4 advantage in shots over the final 45 minutes. Russell held steady in the net for the Mountain Lions, stopping all five Hilltopper shots on goal in the half to record the clean sheet. 
 
Colorado Springs found a late opening on a big switch, sending a long ball from the middle of the field to the left wing, getting Kolby Raineri the ball with one defender to beat. Raineri turned the corner and threaded a shot just past the arms of Hilltopper keeper KELLEN GULLION. 
 
St. Edward's made a late put and found the back of the net near the 82-minute mark, but an offsides penalty negated the goal. 
 
The Hilltoppers drop to 0-2 and will face another nationally-ranked team, hosting No. 12 Colorado State University-Pueblo on Saturday at noon.