ODESSA, Texas — St. Edward's women's soccer entered the week needing six points to keep its postseason hopes alive. The Hilltoppers answered with two victories, completing the sweep Saturday behind JORJA BRAGG's second goal in as many games and a six-save shutout from DARIA SCHLUMBOHM in a 1-0 road victory over UT Permian Basin.
The victory gives St. Edward's consecutive wins for the first time this season and moves the Hilltoppers to 3-7-3 overall and 3-4-2 in Lone Star Conference play, sitting. More importantly, the six-point week moves St. Edward's to 11 points and ninth in the conference standings, keeping the Hilltoppers in the postseason conversation.
After scoring three goals against Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday, St. Edward's carried its attacking momentum into Saturday's match, generating 18 shots and putting 10 on goal. The Hilltoppers created opportunities throughout the afternoon but needed Schlumbohm to keep the match scoreless until Bragg broke through in the 62nd minute.
St. Edward's nearly struck first in the 11th minute when Bragg rattled the crossbar. The Hilltoppers kept the pressure on, earning a corner kick moments later that SOPHIA HODGES headed on goal, forcing UT Permian Basin goalkeeper Valeria Delgado into a save. SIERRA PADILLA followed with two blocked attempts in the ensuing sequence.
The Falcons responded with a dangerous stretch of their own, forcing Schlumbohm into three saves over the next 12 minutes. Breanna Reagan tested the Hilltopper goalkeeper twice, and Alyssa Pipes added another attempt on frame in the 24th minute.
Schlumbohm continued anchoring the defense while St. Edward's searched for the breakthrough. She turned away another attempt from Pipes in the 33rd minute and stopped Molly King's header four minutes later.
The Hilltoppers generated opportunities at the other end, with MACY JENNINGS testing Delgado in the 25th minute and RILEY SISSON putting another shot on frame three minutes later. RAINEY SIMMONS and Jennings added shots on goal in the final five minutes of the half, but Delgado kept the match scoreless.
UT Permian Basin threatened again in the closing seconds of the half, with Schlumbohm stopping Jayden Murgia's attempt with seven seconds remaining to preserve the scoreless draw at the break.
St. Edward's emerged from halftime with renewed attacking pressure, generating two shots from CLAIRE SMITH in the opening three minutes. Bragg forced Delgado into another save in the 55th minute, continuing to threaten after coming within inches of scoring earlier.
The breakthrough finally came at 61:34.
RILEY SISSON connected with Bragg for the decisive goal from just outside the box, giving the junior her second goal in consecutive matches after scoring her first of the season against Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday.
With the lead secured, St. Edward's continued attacking rather than retreating into a defensive shell. Simmons forced Delgado into another save with a header in the 73rd minute, and the Hilltoppers generated four corner kicks over the final 14 minutes.
The Falcons came closest to equalizing in the 79th minute when Isabella Capra struck the post, but St. Edward's escaped the danger and continued pushing forward.
A flurry of Hilltopper opportunities followed in the 84th minute. DAYLAN NATES delivered consecutive corner kicks, with Hodges having a header blocked before Carmen Massey collected another opportunity that was also turned away. Nates delivered another corner moments later, and Smith forced Delgado into her ninth save in the 86th minute.
UT Permian Basin made one final push in the closing seconds, but St. Edward's defense held firm. Molly King had an attempt blocked with 23 seconds remaining, and Reagan sent the Falcons' final shot wide with 12 seconds left.
Schlumbohm finished with six saves, all in the first half, to record her second consecutive shutout and third of the season. The Hilltoppers have now held their opponents scoreless for 180 consecutive minutes.
St. Edward's finished with an 18-12 advantage in shots, including a 10-6 edge in shots on goal, and earned eight corner kicks to the Falcons' one. Simmons led the Hilltoppers with four shots, while Bragg and Smith added three each. Delgado made nine saves for UT Permian Basin.
The Hilltoppers have now won three of their last six matches after opening conference play without a victory in their first three games. Saturday's result also marks the first time St. Edward's has posted consecutive shutouts this season.
