AUSTIN, Texas – Oklahoma Christian tried to turn the game into a battle of attrition with a conservative philosophy, but St. Edward's men's soccer endured. ARTHUR SOUZA returned from injury and scored a late goal to lead the Hilltoppers to a 1-0 win over the Eagles.
 
The Eagles sat back in a defensive shell throughout the first half, and the Hilltoppers patiently attacked without surrendering a counter. TODD FULLER and IZAIAH GARZA tested Oklahoma Christian goalie Pepe Hinterschuster early with a pair of shots on goal in the first three minutes, drawing voiced frustration from the German keeper in his native tongue. 
 
SHUNJI WATANABE went bottom left in the 14th minute, and Hinterschuster earned his third save, going with the deep punt each time, looking for a quick strike. Gerome Gohlke delivered Oklahoma Christian's first shot in the 17th minute, with the Eagles content to punt and sit in their conservative defense throughout the half. 
 
Oklahoma Christian gained some traction late in the half, engineered some possession, and got a shot from Ivan Castaneda from inside the box that missed right. 
 
St. Edward's held a 7-2 advantage in shots generated with the lone corner kick of a scoreless first half. 
 
The Hilltoppers started the second half with the same momentum they opened the game with, getting a trio of shots from Garza, JETHRO VOURJOLO, and Watanabe in the first 15 minutes of the second half, including a spectacular bicycle kick attempt from Vourjolo in the box that missed just over the post. 
 
Oklahoma Christian put its lone shot on goal in the 68th minute, stopped by ANGEL RAMIREZ, who broke up several other dangerous runs before an attempt in the box could materialize. 
 
In the 79th minute, Matthew DeVaney put another shot on goal, sending Hinterschuster leaping for the save. With an Oklahoma Christian defender seated in the box, cramping and needing water, the Hilltoppers circled like sharks smelling blood in the ocean.
 
HUNTER MERRITT played a long pass over the top that ended in a collision with the keeper and a yellow card in the 81st minute. CHRISTIAN MEZAS replaced him, and the Hilltoppers kept the pressure on. 
 
Mesas stole the ball from an Oklahoma Christian player near midfield on a throw-in and immediately turned and found JOMMAR REYES, who quickly relayed a perfectly weighted through ball to Vourjolo in the box for the game-winner. 
 
St. Edward's improves to 5-4-3 with a 3-1-2 conference record. The Hilltoppers will travel this weekend to play UT-Tyler on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.