AUSTIN, Texas — Three years ago, St. Edward's men's soccer traveled to West Texas A&M for one final opportunity to earn its first win since the program's return. The Hilltoppers left Canyon with a 4-3 victory and something to build on.
On Wednesday, the seniors who helped restart the program return for their final regular-season match, with a chance to keep playing.
St. Edward's faces West Texas A&M at 7 p.m. at The Pitch, where a victory would secure a Lone Star Conference Tournament berth. The Hilltoppers enter with 11 conference points, one ahead of the Buffaloes, putting control of their postseason future directly in front of them.
The opportunity remains within reach because St. Edward's delivered another memorable 4-3 victory Saturday, rallying past DBU on Senior Day despite trailing 3-1 and playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men.
SHUNJI WATANABE helped spark the comeback with an assist to Misa Rangel, then created the decisive chance by chasing down a long pass into the left corner, shielding possession and turning toward the box to draw a foul just outside it. BARTEK ZABEK delivered the free kick, and PAOLO VELA finished with 52 seconds remaining.
The Hilltoppers scored three unanswered goals to complete the comeback, holding DBU without a shot on goal after the Patriots established their two-goal advantage in the 57th minute. It was a display of the persistence St. Edward's will need again in Canyon.
Zabek has been part of both chapters. He scored twice in the 2023 finale at West Texas A&M, including a corner kick bent directly into the goal, helping deliver the breakthrough that had eluded the Hilltoppers throughout their restart season. Now, after redshirting a season along the way, he leads St. Edward's with five goals and 12 points.
The Hilltoppers have received contributions from across the attack, with IZAIAH GARZA, ISAAC GUAJARDO and Rangel adding three goals apiece. St. Edward's averages 1.47 goals and 13.7 shots per match, but it still needs to put more of those attempts on target. Only 35.9 percent have required a save or found the net.
Wednesday's opponent presents a particularly difficult home challenge. West Texas A&M is 5-8-4 overall and 2-3-4 in conference play, but is 5-1-2 at home. The Buffaloes have beaten UT Tyler and held both UT Dallas and nationally ranked Midwestern State to draws at The Pitch. They return home after a 3-0 loss at St. Mary's on Saturday.
Felix Casas and D'Jonte Davis share the team lead with four goals and two assists each, while Oumar Berete has scored three times on only nine attempts. The Buffaloes average one goal per match, so their ability to capitalize on limited opportunities is key for a Hilltopper defense seeking a more controlled contest after Saturday's seven-goal match.
West Texas A&M's recent victory over Sul Ross State illustrated two routes St. Edward's must defend. Axel Martinez drove in from the wing and crossed for Casas to finish the opener, while Delahmu Reeves scored the second from a Joe Ballenger throw-in delivered into the box. Preventing service from wide areas and staying with runners through the finish will be important against a team that can turn a routine restart into a scoring chance.
At the other end, Bryce Cottle has made 44 saves with a .759 save percentage and three shutouts. St. Edward's will need the movement and support around the ball that helped create Saturday's comeback, while staying organized enough behind its attack to avoid chasing another deficit.
For the Hilltoppers' returning seniors, Wednesday brings the rebuilding process back to a familiar place. Their first season ended in Canyon with a victory that offered a glimpse of what could follow. Their final regular-season return gives them a chance to earn another postseason chapter.
