DENTON, Texas — A two-minute lull cost St. Edward's two second-half goals but not a spot in the Lone Star Conference Tournament after a 2-0 loss to the Texas Woman's University Pioneers on Saturday afternoon. 
St. Edward's doubled TWU in shot attempts in each half and 12-6 for the game, including four on-goal, but couldn't find the back of the net. 

The Hilltoppers weathered early pressure and generated a handful of promising looks of their own in a scoreless first half against Texas Woman's University on Friday.

St. Edward's back line set the tone early, turning away a TWU push that was halted by a handball in the buildup. From there, St. Edward's found moments to push forward, highlighted by ELENA RAMOS BANET's attempt in the 20th minute that carried just high over the crossbar.

TWU controlled stretches of possession late in the half, moving the ball fluidly around the edges of its attacking third, but the Hilltoppers' defense stayed compact—forcing play wide and clearing each cross or through ball before it could reach the goal.

Head coach Nick Cowell turned to his bench with 18 minutes remaining, and substitute RILEY SISSON made an immediate impact, breaking free for a shot aimed low to the right corner that was denied by TWU goalkeeper Faith Graves.

St. Edward's continued to absorb pressure and counter when possible. MCKENNA KEELEY and TESSA DABNEY each came up with key defensive stops, with the latter sprinting over from the far side to break up a perfectly weighted pass into the box with two minutes remaining. 

In the closing minutes, TWU earned a corner but couldn't capitalize, as the Hilltoppers cleared the box and turned defense into a quick break. Taylor Williams nearly put St. Edward's on the board, lofting a long-range shot that sailed just over the net.

The first 45 minutes closed with the match still even, St. Edward's showing disciplined defensive structure and flashes of attacking intent heading into halftime, owning a 4-2 edge in shots.

TWU struck early in the second half out of a corner kick set piece. The Pioneers put the ball onto the ground along the baseline. They immediately played it back to the back corner of the box, where it was crossed to the far side post for a header from Mia Thaxton, assisted by Bri LUna and Giselle Gutierrez. 

Two minutes later, TWU struck again, this time out of a throw-in to the foot of Gutierrez, who made a sharp turn inside to find space for a shot from outside the box, just over the hands of DARIA SCHLUMBOHM.  
 
St. Edward's continued to create opportunities, puncturing the defense for seven shots inside the box, including four on goal, but Graves held steady to preserve the shutout. 
 
Sisson led St. Edward's with two shots on goal, and ABIGAIL HALL and MACY JENNINGS each tested Graves. St. Edward's held a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks. 
 
On the other side of Texas, Lubbock Christian shut out Oklahoma Christian 1-0, leaving the Eagles more than three points behind St. Edward's for the eighth and final seed with one game remaining in the points-per-game format the conference turned to after league games were rained out. 
 
St. Edward's will close the regular season on Tuesday against Sul Ross State at 7:00 p.m.