AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward's controlled possession and produced more shots against No. 24 Western Washington, but the Vikings capitalized on two second-half opportunities to defeat the Hilltoppers 2-0 at Lewis-Chen Family Field.
The Hilltoppers (1-2-2) held 59 percent of the possession and finished with a 15-14 advantage in shots, including a 10-8 edge after halftime. Western Washington goalkeeper Quinn Sappington stopped all four shots he faced to preserve the shutout.
St. Edward's built its first-half possession through the back line, often pushing its defenders near midfield while FILIP ADAMSKI directed play centrally. The Hilltoppers found IZAIAH GARZA in space down the right side several times, but a disciplined Western Washington defense remained compact in the final third.
The Vikings (5-1-1) applied pressure selectively, springing traps in midfield and stepping into passing lanes when opportunities emerged. Once possession changed hands, Western Washington looked to create transition chances through long diagonal passes toward Landon Schulze on the outside.
TIMMY HOLLENBECK helped keep the match scoreless with several crucial defensive interventions. The senior right back tracked across the width of the field to stop a breakaway with a well-timed sliding tackle and consistently made the right decision in possession, either connecting with the midfield or playing directly when space opened farther upfield.
Western Washington held a narrow 6-5 advantage in first-half shots, but Edward Alonzi made the only save of the period to send the teams into halftime scoreless.
St. Edward's emerged from the break with its most dangerous stretch of the match. BARTEK ZABEK and Adamski forced saves from Sappington in the opening three minutes before DEAN ROGGENBAUER placed another effort on target in the 57th minute. RILEY BAROLDY added the Hilltoppers' fourth shot on goal in the 65th.
The Vikings broke through less than a minute later.
Jack Haegele stepped in front of a St. Edward's throw-in near midfield and headed the ball down to Lunden Fenster on the right. Fenster played it back to Schulze outside the right edge of the penalty area. Schulze drew Alonzi away from goal before immediately finding Tommy Carroll in front of the net for the finish in the 66th minute.
St. Edward's continued searching for an equalizer, with Garza having a shot blocked and Adamski sending an attempt narrowly wide during a stretch late in the second half.
Western Washington doubled its advantage in the 86th minute. Rudy Silva got behind the Hilltopper defense along the end line and drove a cross toward Fenster, who hurdled a sliding challenge before scoring his third goal of the season.
Adamski and Zabek led St. Edward's with three shots apiece, while Alonzi finished with three saves. The Hilltoppers return to Lewis-Chen Family Field on Friday to host No. 11 Seattle Pacific.
