AUSTIN, Texas — Nick Cowell didn't make much of it when the final whistle blew on St. Edward's 2025 home opener, a 7-0 win over North Greenville. 
 
Handshakes, a few smiles, and a team photo commemorated Cowell's 250th victory at St. Edward's in the first home game of his 20th season on the Hilltop. The Hilltoppers' longtime gaffer paused just long enough to acknowledge the milestone, then quickly moved on to preparing for the next challenge in a season full of them.
 
St. Edward's opened the season ranked sixth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll, and sophomore forward ANNIE ROCHA held up as the league's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. 
 
The non-conference schedule offered little margin for error, with two nationally-ranked Rocky Mountain opponents in four games. The exception came in the home opener, when Rocha recorded a first-half hat trick in St. Edward's seven-goal home opener, earning the sophomore LSC Offensive Player of the Week. 
 
St. Edward's didn't lack for opportunities in its conference opener at Oklahoma Christian, doubling the Eagles up in shot attempts but falling 2-0 on the scoreboard.
 
The Hilltoppers found their footing on Rocha's right boot, getting three goals over the next two games. Rocha scored two of the Hilltoppers' three goals in a 3-2 win over West Texas A&M, on a passing clinic held by MARIE HANNEDOUCHE and JISELL ZAVALETA DENOVA. Senior midfielder KATIE FITZPATRICK added the third goal and joined Rocha in the scoring column of a 2-2 draw against Angelo State. 
 
Finishing remained inconsistent even as shot attempts surged in a 1-0 loss to St. Mary's and a scoreless draw with UT Tyler. The Hilltoppers took an early lead against Midwestern State out of a corner set piece to Hannedouche, but didn't have enough firepower in a 2-1 loss after losing Rocha for the remainder of the regular season to a knee injury in the 15th minute. 
 
Nearly midway through conference play, St. Edward's stood 1-3-2 with its offensive engine now sitting on the bench and a lot of questions moving forward. 
 
Progress came gradually rather than all at once. Senior co-captains Bailey Williams and Fitzpatrick provided steady leadership and an unwavering belief expressed through daily consistency rather than public attention. It was enough to stabilize the team during the transition as Cowell tinkered with lineups and formations, empowering Williams to find her way into the midfield and attacking third from her defensive position, and challenging Hannedouche to be more aggressive.
 
St. Edward's adjusted without Rocha rather than unraveling. 
 
Rocha's game relied on direct pressure, while Hannedouche brought creativity and improvisation. The French graduate midfielder found pockets between the lines, took defenders on when space disappeared, and delivered when needed. It was her creativity that helped St. Edward's generate so many opportunities, and now Cowell demanded she step up and feature more in the end product. 
 
She responded by delivering a brace in a 4-0 road win over Eastern New Mexico, with freshman MACY JENNINGS scoring less than 15 seconds into the match for her first career goal in her first collegiate start. In the following game, Hannedouche and senior KARLEE FRIEBELE combined on the decisive goal on senior day, connecting for Friebele's first goal at St. Edward's in her first start, winning 1-0 over Texas Permian Basin. 
 
Hannedouche added an assist in a 2-0 win at Texas A&M International, scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Lubbock Christian, and scored the game-winner against Sul Ross State in the regular-season finale. She finished with six goals and four assists for 16 points, earning All-LSC Third Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Region Third Team honors. 
 
St. Edward's surged, winning five of its final eight regular-season games to overtake Oklahoma Christian for the final seed in the LSC Tournament. 
 
Williams, LANE ROGERS, and MCKENNA KEELEY fortified the Hilltopper defense, combining with goalkeeper Dariah Schlumbohm for four shutout victories over that stretch. Schlumbohm remained a steady fixture in the net, recording 76 saves and another LSC Goalkeeper of the Week award. RILEY SISSON, Ava Maulden, ISABELLA RUIZ, MACY JENNINGS, and others provided timely goals and energy.
 
At the conclusion of the regular season, on a 2-0 win over Sul Ross State to close the regular season, the Hilltoppers entered the LSC Tournament with plenty of momentum and with a proven focal point returning. 
 
Rocha made a surprise appearance in the first round of the LSC Tournament, entering the game in the 38th minute and immediately producing a highlight goal. After host Lubbock Christian scored the equalizer in the second half, it was Rocha's PK in the shootout that sealed the win.
 
In the immediate aftermath, the team rushed onto the field to celebrate. Then, some handshakes, a few smiles, and a brief interview with Cowell and Rocha to mark the moment before quickly moving on to the next challenge. 
 
Though St. Edward's lost in the quarterfinals to Midwestern State, Cowell's 20 seasons at St. Edward's show that building a successful program or season isn't about the highest or bleakest moments, but all the work that comes in between.