On the pitch, MARIE HANNEDOUCHE is near the top of most opponents' scouting reports for her ability to create advantages from nothing. Heading into Friday night's Lone Star Conference First Round game at Lubbock Christian, St. Edward's is leaning on that ability to materialize a deep postseason run.

"We like where we are. We've played these teams tough, lost some close games, and won a few," Hannedouche says. "We played well, we just weren't efficient with our chances. But we've been fighting for each other and have an excellent mindset."

Hannedouche's touch alternates between delicate and decisive, with precision as its throughline. She manipulates defenders with turns, stepovers, and changes of pace to create space and drive the attack forward. Her composure and technique under pressure reflect her development in France, giving St. Edward's a unique edge in the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

It was that blend of creativity and composure that first caught the attention of St. Edward's head women's soccer coach Nick Cowell.

"We get sent hundreds of videos from international students all the time," Cowell said. "Her level of play stood out because of the competition she was facing. She played for a women's team associated with a professional men's club, and those players tend to be very strong technically. They adapt quickly to the American game, which is usually a bit more physical and athletic."

For Hannedouche, the opportunity to play in the U.S. was a goal she pursued deliberately.
"I wanted to have this experience in the U.S., so I contacted an agency to see if I was still eligible to play for a university," she said. "When Coach Nick contacted me, he did it in French. We had a good meeting. He speaks multiple languages, so that's cool. And there were teammates here from Europe."

Her transition wasn't seamless. The pace and rhythm of play differed from what she'd known in France.

"It took a while to adjust," Hannedouche admitted. "Here, the play is more direct than I'm used to. Back home, the style emphasized more creativity on the ball, so adapting my game took some time."

Cowell said that adjustment is common for international players, but Hannedouche's maturity and technical base accelerated her progress.

"She's a very mature person who's open to coaching and is team-oriented," he said. "Sometimes she enjoys expressing her flair on the ball, which is part of who she is, but we've needed her to turn that into an end product. She's taken more responsibility. You can give Marie the ball under pressure, and she's going to take care of it. She's not afraid to make plays."

That confidence has translated into consistent production in key matches. The midfielder has started all 17 games she's been available for this season, scoring six goals and adding four assists — ranking among the team's top offensive contributors.

In the conference opener against Oklahoma Christian, she dictated the tempo of the game. No matter how often the Eagles rotated midfielders, they couldn't disrupt her influence. St. Edward's doubled the Eagles in shots, with many attacks starting through her ability to connect passes, break lines, and carry the ball forward.

Her impact extends beyond individual skill. By drawing extra defenders, she opens passing lanes and creates numerical advantages for her teammates, allowing the Hilltoppers to maintain fluid attacking patterns and keep sustained pressure in the opponent's half.

When St. Edward's lost leading scorer ANNIE ROCHA, Hannedouche became one of the players expected to step up — and she did.

"When we heard Annie was going to miss the rest of the season, we needed other people to step up," she said. "We needed to take more risks."

Cowell echoed that sentiment, noting her versatility has been vital. "At times we've moved her from a deeper role into midfield and even higher into the attack, and she's adjusted well," he said. "Teams scout her — they're aware of her ability — but they don't know where we'll play her or what formation we'll use. Hopefully, we can put her in areas they're not expecting her."

Her creativity shines most in one-on-one moments — the split second when she sizes up an opponent and decides how to unbalance them.

"It depends on the player and team in front of me," Hannedouche said. "I want to be bold and beat the matchup in front of me — that's my style of play."
That fearlessness will be essential in the Lone Star Conference Tournament, where margins are thin and possession under pressure can determine everything.

As the Hilltoppers look to continue their late-season surge, Hannedouche's ability to dictate rhythm, create chances, and absorb defensive focus has become the team's tactical heartbeat.
Her absence earlier this season against St. Mary's underscored her value. Even though St. Edward's again doubled its opponent in shots in the Battle of the Saints, without Hannedouche's ability to relieve pressure and link the thirds, the buildup became more difficult. Forced into deeper passing patterns, the Hilltoppers struggled to escape St. Mary's organized press and were compelled to rely more on counterattacks than controlled possession.

Now, with Hannedouche back in form and the team winning five of its final eight games to earn a postseason bid, her influence could define how far the Hilltoppers go.

As Cowell summed up, "She's taken that responsibility on board recently and is showing more confidence. The fact that she's started to score and create more opportunities has helped us overcome the loss of Annie at the top. We haven't won every game, but we've been strong in terms of possession and shots."

For a St. Edward's squad built on collective effort and resilience, Hannedouche's creativity is the spark — the link between control, confidence, and momentum. If the Hilltoppers are to extend their postseason story, it will likely run through her boots.