AUSTIN, Texas - The St. Edward's men's soccer team hosted the West Texas A&M University Buffs for the last regular season game, securing the 1-0 clean sheet with KALEO PEREZ-FRANCIS at goal and ARTHUR SOUZA scoring the winning goal. 
 
"On the last game of the year, you want to play really good soccer, and I thought we did that today," head coach Brian Young said. "The last two days here (at practice) were exceptional from the guys."
 
The Hilltoppers started patiently, taking their time to find a rhythm and persevering through the Buffs' early pressure. MATTHEW DEVANEY put two shots on goal in the first 13 minutes. The first came five minutes in out of a corner kick, and the second on a feed from BARTEK ZABEK after a drive by IZAIAH GARZA on the left side of the pitch. 
 
St. Edward's scored in the 14th minute when CHRISTIAN MEZAS intercepted a goal kick and dribbled through two Buff defenders in the midfield, finding SHUNJI WATANABE on the left side of the pitch. Watanabe connected with Mezas again near the box, and a swift pass to Souza for the Hilltoppers' lead and Souza's third goal of the season.
 
Hilltoppers regained possession as the ball went back into play, getting two back-to-back corner kicks, ending in Garza putting a shot off the top goalpost. The Buffs countered with a couple of runs up their attacking field, but the Hilltoppers were tenacious and cohesive on defense, sending the ball back to midfield with ease.
 
St. Edward's came back for the second half at full force, keeping the ball near the box and not letting it cross the midfield line. After three shots on goal for St. Edward's, one deflected off the left goalpost, and one shot was directly to the Buffs' keeper. West Texas A&M created a chance on their left side, which Perez-Francis immediately caught. 
 
"It's in the mentality, coming in and giving the boys all you have; that's really it at the end of the day," Perez-Francis said. 
 
Gradually, the Hilltoppers regained their space through passes between the back line and the midfield circle. With the Buffs increasing their press – but still unable to capitalize – the Hilltoppers struggled to hold their ground along the sidelines until Souza found space near the box after a throw-in, dribbling past a Buffs defender and finding Devaney, who shot out wide above the right side of the goal. The Hilltoppers built on their momentum, creating another chance shortly after regaining possession quickly. 
 
St. Edward's kept the defense tight, protecting the box as a unified force and slowing down any attempts from the Buffs. Despite the heavy pressure, the Hilltoppers maintained their composure and focus, holding WTAMU back after close calls over the last few minutes and maintaining the lead.
 
"We didn't score in the second half, but it was a really good game to end on," Young said.
 
This win places St. Edward's second in Lone Star Conference standings, getting the team the week off before hosting a semifinal game on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The Hilltoppers finish the regular season with a 6-2-2 conference record and 8-5-4 overall.