AUSTIN, Texas – ANNIE ROCHA scored two goals, and the St. Edward's women's soccer team got back on track with a 2-0 win over the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds.
St. Edward's dominated the first half, easily moving the ball into its attacking third. TRISTYN CABELLO tested Eastern New Mexico keeper Rosie Joyce Willmott twice in the first two minutes, and the goalie stopped both.
Rocha got her first shot in the 12th minute, and CARINA WUST missed twice before putting one on frame that Joyce Willmott stopped. St. Edward's controlled the entire half, generating a 16-2 shot advantage. Joyce Willmott stopped all eight shots on goal before the break, taking both teams scoreless going into the half.
St. Edward's broke through in the opening minutes of the second half. KATIE FITZPATRICK poked the ball free from a Greyhound, ABIGAIL HALL won the sprint to the loose ball and passed it to BAILEY WILLIAMS, who immediately sent it to Cabello. Cabello turned up in the middle of the field, going to her right, then passed the ball against the grain of the defense to Rocha just inside the box for the score in the 47th minute.
Play settled with only one shot from ALYSSA GARCIA between either team over roughly the next 15 minutes until St. Edward's broke through again in the 63rd. Williams ran up the left sideline and perfectly led ISABELLA RUIZ with a pass deep into Eastern New Mexico territory. Ruiz cut back sharply to create a passing angle, delivering a cross to Rocha for the header and goal in front of the net.
Eastern New Mexico managed two corner kicks the rest of the way and its lone shot of the half in the final two minutes. Rocha's two goals bring her to eight on the season. Ruiz earned her second assist.
St. Edward's improves to 3-6-2 with a 1-4-1 conference record. The Hilltoppers will host Midwestern State next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. for their annual pink-out and breast cancer awareness game.