AUSTIN, Texas — Throughout the preseason, St. Edward's women's soccer discussed the standards that would shape a new era for the program. While the Hilltoppers celebrated Senior Day in the season opener, those standards began to take shape through the work of the players who helped carry them to this point.
Senior
RILEY SISSON created and finished the equalizer in the 76th minute, while classmate
RAINEY SIMMONS delivered an outstanding performance on the defensive back line to help St. Edward's earn a 1-1 draw against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Simmons was everywhere along the left side of the defense, repeatedly dismantling dangerous attacks while contending with the pace of SWOSU midfielder Raniya Cattina. Sisson matched her classmate's impact and work rate in the middle of the field, turning up the pressure that eventually created the tying goal.
St. Edward's controlled 57 percent of the possession and outshot the Bulldogs 24-14, including a 17-9 advantage in the second half. The Hilltoppers connected passes through the midfield, found release valves when pressured, and moved into gaps in the defense. Only a few heavy or light touches at inopportune moments kept that buildup from producing more opportunities.
MADISON CRESWELL,
MACY JENNINGS, and
RILEY KNOX established early pressure in the attacking third. Creswell sent the first attempt wide in the fourth minute, and Knox followed with a shot wide right a minute later.
Southwestern Oklahoma State took the lead in the 20th minute from a sequence that began with Kinsey Geasland drawing a foul against Sisson. Geasland tested senior goalkeeper
DARIA SCHLUMBOHM with the ensuing free kick, sending a shot low and to the right.
Schlumbohm made the diving stop but could not secure the ball, and the Hilltoppers struggled to clear the rebound. Maya Thornburg sent a high ball back into the area that bounced through traffic and behind Schlumbohm, leaving Braelee Epp with an open net for the game's first goal.
The score interrupted the Hilltoppers' rhythm without breaking it.
St. Edward's continued to build through the midfield. Jennings forced goalkeeper Emma Young to make the Bulldogs' first save in the 32nd minute, and
ANNIE ROCHA added two attempts off the bench before halftime.
The Hilltoppers raised the pressure after the break, generating four shots and a corner kick in the opening eight minutes. Schlumbohm kept the deficit at one with consecutive saves against Krysta Hook and Madelyn Kitchen before St. Edward's resumed its push forward.
ARIANA WEISS and Rocha forced Young into saves in the 66th and 68th minutes. Senior
ABIGAIL HALL entered in the 62nd minute and sent an attempt high 10 minutes later, adding another senior presence to the Hilltoppers' pursuit of the equalizer.
Sisson finally broke through by turning defensive pressure into attack.
Young stopped her initial attempt in the 75th minute. Less than 20 seconds later, Sisson stepped into the path of a Bulldogs midfielder and poked the ball free to Jennings. Jennings immediately returned it into Sisson's path, and the senior finished the opportunity she started for the first St. Edward's goal of the season.
The Hilltoppers continued pushing for a winner, producing six more shots over the final 15 minutes. Sisson generated two of them, including the final attempt with four seconds remaining, while Simmons, Rocha, Knox, and Creswell also had opportunities.
Sisson finished with a goal on four shots, placing two on frame. Rocha led St. Edward's with five attempts, Creswell added four, and Jennings contributed two shots and the assist. Schlumbohm made four saves as both teams put five attempts on goal.
The result moved St. Edward's to 0-0-1 and Southwestern Oklahoma State to 0-0-2. The Hilltoppers return to action Thursday, Sept. 3, when they travel to face No. 10 UCCS.
