Austin, TX - The cloudy sky cleared up just in time for the men's soccer kickoff against the Mississippi College Choctaws. Fans filled the stands as the sun set to cheer on the Hilltoppers' efforts during the highly contested match, which ended in a 2-2 draw.  
 
The Choctaws applied pressure early, showing that they would play with a focus on speed and high physicality. Despite their momentum, the Hilltoppers' back four and Kaleo Francis on goal kept the Choctaw efforts at bay. Armando DonJuan and NEMANJA PAVICEVIC led early runs for the Hilltoppers, but couldn't reach the box.
 
The Choctaws transitioned quickly into their counterattack. Angel Carceles shot a ball off the post, resulting in a corner kick. Sergio Garrido got the touch from the corner, finding Brandon Reyes in the box, putting the Choctaws up 1-0 at the 7th minute.
 
Precise passes from EBUKA BRIGHT-OSIGWE and SHUNJI WATANABE got captain ARTHUR SOUZA close to the sideline, leading to a corner ball from NICO WEIGANDT, which bounced off the top goal post. IZAIAH GARZA had a shot on goal shortly after, which was saved by Choctaw goalkeeper Cole Turner. 
 
The Hilltoppers shifted gears with Watanabe helping Bright-Osigwe in the midfield. A corner to the Hilltoppers got the ball back in Choctaw possession, but they couldn't capitalize, allowing St. Edward's to return to the box. Leading the run up the field, Pavicevic was tackled by Turner, leaving the goal open for DonJuan to score his first goal as a Hilltopper, evening it out at 1-1. 
 
"It felt amazing, it meant a lot," DonJuan said. "That goal really motivated us to keep going."
 
The first of four yellow cards of the game — but the only one directed towards the Hilltoppers — was given to Bright-Osigwe, starting a series of calls that sparked frustration from the benches and coaching staff on both sides. 
 
A shot on goal by CHRISTIAN MEZAS went directly into Turner's hands with 17 minutes left in the first half. Substitutions were made on both ends, with JACKSON STUBBS making his Hilltopper debut after coming in for Bright-Osigwe. Stubbs' efforts and grit on the defensive end were highly regarded by the coaching staff.
 
"I thought he was excellent, he's done very well in preseason," head coach Brian Young said. "He's been consistent throughout his training."
 
The Hilltoppers continued to reply to the Choctaws with pressure on the box, and a pass from TIMMY HOLLENBECK to EASTON JONES found the back of the net. The cornerback connection in the box put the Hilltoppers ahead 2-1 to end the first half 
 
Back for the second half, the Choctaws' aggressiveness allowed them to concentrate possession on their attacking field, frequently intercepting passes from the Hilltoppers and quickly stopping any attempt to go up the field. However, the physicality of the Choctaws' approach didn't deter the Hilltoppers at any moment, keeping the game highly contested through its entirety. 
 
"I would compare this team (the Hilltoppers) to a good Lone Star Conference team, which is going to prepare us really well for what our conference will look like," associate head coach Corey Miller said. "It was good to see them battle and be battle-tested and come out on top sometimes, but also now realize that they may need to do a little bit more. I was proud of their effort because they didn't back down from anybody."
 
Even though the ball was constantly in Choctaws' possession near the box, the Hilltoppers' defense never wavered, with Weigandt, Hollenbeck, Jones, and Stubbs fighting relentlessly to push the Choctaws away and give time for the Hilltoppers to reorganize. However, a throw-in to Garrido was passed to Carceles, who scored the equalizer and brought the game to 2-2 for Mississippi College with 12 minutes left on the clock. 
 
The Hilltoppers made a few more runs, as the players on the bench and the fans in the stands cheered them on over the last few minutes, but the Choctaws kept most of their men on the defensive side of the field. With no space to score, the Hilltoppers' attempts fell short, and the game ended in a draw.
 
"I think it was a good match overall," Miller said. "We just have to be more effective in transitioning from defense to attack, and making sure that defensively we're tuned in at all times."
 
The Hilltoppers return to Lewis-Chen Family Field on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. to take on Fort Lewis College.