LUBBOCK, Texas — The penultimate match of St. Edward's women's soccer's regular season mirrored the season itself: an early struggle followed by a determined climb back. The Hilltoppers weathered two goals in the opening 12 minutes before scoring three unanswered to defeat Lubbock Christian 3-2 on the road Saturday.
Senior midfielder RILEY SISSON started and finished the comeback, scoring in the first half before converting the deciding penalty kick in the 72nd minute. MACY JENNINGS assisted both of the Hilltoppers' goals from open play, and PEYTON MEDINA provided six saves in 74:51 of scoreless relief to help secure three valuable Lone Star Conference points.
Lubbock struck in the first five minutes when Casey Storer found Addyson McElhaney just outside the box for shot the fell in just over the top of a leaping DARIA SCHLUMBOHM's hands. Less than 10 minutes later, Ceci Madrid found Maya Quinones after the Hilltoppers failed to clear a ball played into the box, surrendering an open net.
St. Edward's began working its way back before the deficit could settle in.
Medina entered in the 16th minute and stopped a Journey Curs attempt immediately Sisson then supplied the Hilltoppers' first breakthrough. ARIANA WEISS found Jennings in space on the right side with the long pass from midfield for the quick cross to Sisson sprinting to the front of the net.
St. Edward's continued generating pressure, earning four first-half corner kicks. TAYLOR WILLIAMSON sent an attempt high, and Jennings had another shot blocked as the Hilltoppers searched for an equalizer.
At the other end, Medina kept the match within reach. She denied Curs again in the 37th minute and made another save against the LCU midfielder with 11 seconds remaining before halftime, sending St. Edward's into the break trailing 2-1.
Jennings helped bring the Hilltoppers level early in the second half out of a set piece. Lubbock Christian committed a foul just outside the box on a throw-in, and Jennings delivered a perfect ball to the far post for SIERRA PADILLA's header, bringing the game even at the 55:12 mark.
Medina answered LCU's response almost immediately, saving a Kali Guy attempt 30 seconds after the equalizer. She added another stop against Claire Jacobson in the 65th minute to preserve the tie.
The Hilltoppers earned consecutive corner kicks in the 70th minute before receiving the opportunity to take their first lead out of another throw-in. Jennings walled off her opponent in the Hilltoppers' attacking third, settling the ball with a defender draped on her back and delivering a no-look, backwards pass to CLAIRE SMITH with open space in the box, with the latter drawing a foul on an attempted slide tackle. Sisson took the pentaly and converted on her second goal of the afternoon.
St. Edward's protected the advantage over the final 18 minutes. Medina made her sixth save against Ceci Madrid in the 80th minute, and Lubbock Christian's final two attempts missed the frame.
Sisson led the Hilltoppers with five shots, including three on goal, while Jennings added two attempts and two assists. Lubbock Christian held a 13-10 advantage in shots and a 9-5 edge in shots on goal, but St. Edward's earned seven corner kicks to the Lady Chaparrals' three.
The victory gave the Hilltoppers their fourth win in six matches, answering Wednesday's loss to No. 1 DBU with a comeback on the road.
St. Edward's improved to 5-8-4 overall and 5-5-3 in conference play, bringing its conference total to 18 points and moving within one point of Lubbock Christian. The Lady Chaparrals dropped to 8-5-4 and 5-4-4 in conference competition.
