ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -  Senior ARI RAMIREZ scored St. Edward's women's soccer's first goal of the season, and KATIE FITZPATRICK provided the game-winner to deliver a 2-1 win over Eckerd College to open the Hilltoppers' weekend in Florida. 

Ramirez set the tone early, delivering a goal to the bottom right of the goal nearly six minutes into the match to give the Hilltoppers the lead. 

HANNAH SIMPSON stopped two shots on goal and broke up a corner kick in her second career start in the net for St. Edward's. The Hilltopper defense held Eckerd in check until the 32nd minute when Aisling Spillane found Caroline Bunker for the equalizer. 

St. Edwards responded quickly with a header from Fitzpatrick off a corner kick from fifth-year CAITLYN GONZALEZ 36 minutes in to give the Hilltoppers the 2-1 lead at the half. 

The Tritons came out of the half in hot pursuit with two quick shots, but the Hilltopper defense responded with a pair of blocks. Eckerd threatened 62 minutes in with a couple of shots stopped by Simpson, including one on a dive across the center of the net. 

St. Edward's earned its first win of the season after a season-opening draw against MSU Denver. The Hilltoppers will continue their road trip on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. CST against the University of Tampa.