AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's women's soccer put itself in position for a draw in the closing minute, but the Hilltopper comeback fell short in a 3-2 loss to Lubbock Christian. 
 
Lubbock Christian controlled possession early with a patient attack, generating three shots and a corner in the first 11 minutes before the Hilltoppers put together a threatening attack on KATIE FITZPATRICK's pair of shots in the 13th and 19th minutes. 
 
Ella Spiller had two of the Lady Chapparals' early shots, then made the third one a charm on the game's opening goal in the 25th minute. St. Edward's tried to clear with a short goal kick, but McKenzie Jost stepped in front of a pass and immediately found Spiller for the score. 
 
St. Edward's turned to its bench in the 26th minute and started winning more balls and carrying possession longer through the midfield. ANNIE ROCHA had one shot blocked in the 33rd minute, then found glory on a free kick triggered from the far left corner of the box. Her kick went towards the far post, bouncing just beyond the crowd in front of the net and before the keeper, hopping over Emma Write and into the back of the net. 
 
The celebration was short-lived, however, as Lubbock Christian took the ensuing kick-off and immediately went down the right sideline for a cross from Spiller to Olivia Weider for the header and a 2-1 lead at the break. 
 
Another rough clearance attempt in the second half afforded Lubbock Christian an extra goal on Bonnie Miller's deep shot from the right side over the outstretched arms of DARIA SCHLUMBOHM into the back left corner of the net in the 56th minute. 
 
St. Edward's MADISON CRESWELL got a pair of looks in the 73rd minute, with one blocked and the second sailing high. St. Edward's called on Rocha off the bench again with 11 minutes remaining, and the freshman pulled St. Edward's within one when ISABELLA RUIZ found Rocha in the middle of the field for her sixth goal of the season in the 83rd minute. 
 
TRISTYN CABELLO led a teammate on a long pass into the box in the final 30 seconds. However, a collision in the penalty area was deemed incidental, and St. Edward's final opportunity fizzled out a few feet from the net. 
 
St. Edward's drops to 2-3-2 with a 0-1-1 conference record. The Hilltoppers will travel to play Angelo State on Wednesday and host Texas Woman's University next Saturday.