AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's men's soccer played a man down for most of its home opener against St. Mary's Rattlers and battled the Rattlers to a scoreless draw in the season's first Battle of the Saints. 
 
The Hilltoppers put pressure on the defense in the opening minutes, earning a pair of corner kicks in the first six minutes and drawing a yellow card from the Rattlers' Pau Deya. St. Edward's found early success going to ARTHUR SOUZA in space down the left side, getting a dangerous shot on goal in the 12th minute stopped by St. Mary's goalie Johnny Thurbin. 
 
Momentum changed near the 15th minute when JOMMAR REYES received a red card, leaving St. Edward's a man down for the final 75 minutes of play. 
 
St. Edward's kept its aggressiveness early into the disadvantage, getting another shot from Souza with a team save, keeping the Hilltoppers out of the back of the net. 
 
The Rattlers finally challenged KALEO FRANCIS, who made his first start in the net this season, near the 30-minute mark. The sophomore keeper turned away Andrick Ferrer's attempt, and the defense kept St. Mary's from another shot the rest of the half. 
 
St. Mary's tried to assert its numbers advantage at the second half's opening. The Rattlers generated two corner kicks and two shots in the first five minutes. The first was deflected out of bounds for a corner, and Francis stopped the next. 
 
St. Edward's defensive backline put in stellar performances, with TODD FULLER, IRVIN ABARCA, and Pablo Zaval playing the full 90 minutes. They disrupted St. Mary's opportunities and made crucial clears. Francis had five saves in the second half and finished with six. 
 
The Hilltoppers were selective in pressing their own attack forward, getting an early second-half shot from Souza and then a pair of shots from EMILIANO ABBOUD and CHRISTIAN MEZAS within two minutes of each other at the 78 and 80-minute mark. St. Mary's created one last look at the net in the final minute, but Francis fell on it and ended the game with a draw. 
 
St. Edward's is now 0-2-1 and will remain home to host Northeastern State University fo its Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.