AUSTIN, Texas - Two first-half goals by IZAIAH GARZA weren't enough for St. Edward's men's soccer against the Lubbock Christian University in the Lone Star Conference home opener, falling to the Chaps 3-2.  
 
Following a long series of away games in the Pacific Northwest and a significant rematch win over Midwestern State University in the conference opener, the team returned home with high morale. Lubbock Christian (2-5-2, 1-0-1) came to Austin following a scoreless tie in their conference opener against the St. Mary's University Rattlers.
 
"We started well, moved the ball around, and created a lot more chances, but they had more shots on goal," head coach Brian Young said. "When we get into good spots, we just need to finish better."
 
At home, MASOOD PORSA and PABLO ZAVALA made their season debut after injury, revitalizing the defensive line for the Hilltoppers.
 
"They both did excellent for us," Young said. "Pablo stepped in during training, and he's done a really good job. He calms the play down a lot, and he picks out passes really well technically. He's in a leadership group along with Masood and Irvin."
 
The Hilltoppers played cohesively and confidently, reaching the box across gaps in the Chaps' defense and limiting Lubbock Christian's chances with pressuring defense on the right side and with the back four during the first half. Transitions in the midfield and on the sidelines kept the ball in rotation, giving the Chaps little space to redirect, with a possession advantage of 58% in the Hilltoppers' favor and an outshooting advantage of 10-4.
 
The home team, this time in new grey kits, brought the Chaps' momentum to a stop early on, with strong communication in the midfield circle and control with CHRISTIAN MEZAS, but couldn't capitalize six minutes in. 
 
Shortly after, a precise pass from EBUKA BRIGHT-OSIGWE in the midfield connected with BARTEK ZABEK on the left side, and an attempt from MATTHEW DEVANEY was redirected by Connor Pettigrew towards IZAIAH GARZA, who quickly shifted it back to the open goal, making it 1-0 at the nine-minute mark. 
 
In another run near the box three minutes later, Zabek got fouled in the area, giving the Hilltoppers a penalty kick. Garza stepped up and found the back of the net with ease, doubling the lead.
 
Lubbock Christian halved the lead early in the second half on a free kick from Aron DePaula seven minutes in. 
 
With the early second-half goal, both sides ramped up the pressure, and the Chaps consistently optimized the space on the left side but remained unable to capitalize. Versatile players made connecting plays possible for the Hilltoppers, who created a total of seven shots in the period, half of the chances created by LCU. This marks a shift from the previous games this year, in which the Hilltoppers have consistently outshot their opponents. 
 
With nine minutes until the final whistle, the Chaps came in heavy with speed towards the center of the box, getting a second-chance goal from Jack Brassey for the equalizer. Shortly after the Chaps got away from DONOVAN EERKES-MCCARTHY's defensive efforts on a similar run, circling to the left with Kade McKinzie and scoring wide from the left side, getting the 3-2 lead to finish the game. 
 
The Hilltoppers are now 3-4-2 overall and will go out on the road again to face Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, on Wednesday, Oct. 8.