AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward's held defending national champion Midwestern State without a shot on goal for nearly 62 minutes, but Alan Rivera converted the Mustangs' only attempt on target to hand the Hilltoppers a 1-0 loss Wednesday evening at Lewis-Chen Family Field.
The Hilltoppers matched Midwestern State throughout a physical Lone Star Conference opener, finishing within one shot of the unbeaten Mustangs and generating a late push for the equalizer. St. Edward's produced three shots over the final seven minutes, forcing goalkeeper Jake Morris into a save and twice testing the defense with blocked attempts inside a crowded attacking third.
Midwestern State entered the match unbeaten and averaging more than two goals per game, but the St. Edward's defense kept the Mustangs from creating a clear look throughout the first half. The Hilltoppers' back line repeatedly held its shape and caught Midwestern State offside four times before the break.
BARTEK ZABEK created the first opportunity of the match, pulling a shot wide in the fifth minute. He produced the only attempt on target by either team in the opening half, forcing Morris into a save in the 36th minute. FILIP ADAMSKI narrowly missed the right side six minutes later as the teams entered halftime scoreless.
The match remained even early in the second half. IZAIAH GARZA sent an attempt over the crossbar in the 53rd minute before Rivera broke the deadlock at 61:33, scoring on Midwestern State's first—and ultimately only—shot on goal.
St. Edward's began pushing numbers forward in search of an equalizer. Adamski had an attempt blocked in the 69th minute before the Hilltoppers generated their most dangerous stretch late.
Garza had a shot blocked in the 84th minute, and ZEKE BEASLEY collected the loose ball before forcing Morris into a save. Garza created another opportunity less than a minute later, but the Mustangs blocked his attempt and survived the ensuing corner kick.
Midwestern State finished with a narrow 9-8 advantage in shots, while St. Edward's placed two attempts on target to the Mustangs' one. The Hilltoppers also forced six offside calls against the visitors.
Zabek and Garza finished with three shots apiece, while Adamski added two. EASTON JONES, JACKSON STUBBS and JAKE CICCARELLO played all 90 minutes as St. Edward's limited a Midwestern State attack that had scored 19 goals through its first eight matches.
St. Edward's falls to 1-4-2 overall and 0-1 in Lone Star Conference play. Midwestern State improves to 7-0-2 and 1-0 in conference competition.
