AUSTIN, Texas - St. Edward's men's soccer wrapped up its four-game homestand with a strong second-half defensive effort for a 2-1 victory over the Metropolitan State University Denver Roadrunners under the scorching Texas sun. 
 
The Hilltoppers struck in the first minute off swift moves from BARTEK ZABEK, threading a pass through the middle to FILIP ADAMSKI for the goal. Counterattacks, pressure, and communication defined the 89 minutes that followed. 
 
"After we scored our first goal, I felt like our pressure should've been more intense, some more urgency," head coach Brian Young said. "When we really needed it, when we were up 2-1 late in the game, the guys worked extremely hard."
 
Following the first goal, St. Edward's was patient putting the ball into play, allowing the Roadrunners to organize their pressure up front. St. Edward's turned to short passes among the back four due to the defensive pressure, then utilized its mobility and creativity to find spaces through the attacking side for a couple of opportunities for MATTHEW DEVANEY and a shot off the woodwork from ARTHUR SOUZA.
 
The Roadrunners found their own footing and space to create a trio of shots in the first 17 minutes, including a pair into the hands of St. Edward's goalkeeper Kaleo Francis. 
 
Close calls from the Roadrunners late in the half gave the Hilltoppers little time or space to rearrange. A missed pass from MISAEL RANGEL in the midfield allowed the Roadrunners to make a run up the field. HOLDEN RABB swung the ball around, but the Hilltoppers' defense was unable to keep possession, and  MSU-Denver's Adan Perez capitalized with a shot on the right bottom corner of the net, tying the game with three minutes remaining. 
 
MSU-Denver ramped up the pressure and physicality in the second half, drawing fouls on centerback TIMMY HOLLENBECK for back-to-back unsuccessful free kicks. The Roadrunners threatened with a corner diverted by a header, with MSU-Denver's Joey Kresnik sailing the rebound high over the goal. 
 
St. Edward's reclaimed the lead on a quick counterattack, finding ARTHUR SOUZA in space down the left sideline. Souza's cross was deflected, but JUD ANDERSON redirected it off his chest to Christian Mexas at the perfect angle to score high on the left side of the goal in the 61st minute.
 
"That (defensive) press is really what we pride ourselves on, I pride myself on it," Mezas said. "It creates a lot of chances for me, but it's really our thing. We know this isn't our best, we haven't yet put 90 minutes together on the pitch, and we're still getting results. So, we're still getting results and we're not yet at our top, so we know that if we can get to our top there's no team that can stop us."
 
The Hilltoppers' back line tightened up from there, closing gaps and neutralizing MSU Denver's late attacks. Anderson created two more chances in the closing minutes, but goalkeeper Nick McNeil kept the Roadrunners within one. Time ultimately ran out, sealing the 2-1 victory for the Hilltoppers.
 
Men's soccer, now 2-0-2, goes on the road to Oklahoma to play Northeastern State on Sept. 18.