AUSTIN, Texas – Junior Rachel Murray scored one goal and assisted on another as the sixth-ranked St. Edward’s women’s soccer team opened up its 2011 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Angelo State Friday afternoon at Lewis-Chen Family Field.

 

Cailyn Trapani (Freshman, Cypress, Texas) almost put St. Edward’s (1-0) up early as she sent a header on goal in the 12^th minute, but RamBelle goalkeeper Taylor Cardinal dove backwards and made a fantastic save. The save cost her though as she had to leave the game.

 

In the 20^th minute Olivia Collado (Junior, Houston, Texas) headed an Angelo State (0-1) goalkick forward to Kelly Servage (Senior, North Richland Hills, Texas). Servage played a through-ball to Rachel Murray (Sophomore, Katy, Texas) who beat the new Angelo State keeper one-on-one far post. St. Edward’s would take two more shots in the first half but came up empty.

 

In the second half, the Angelo State defense held the Hilltoppers without shot for the first 12 minutes. Servage broke the drought as she ripped a volley from 10 yards out just wide in the 57^th minute. Servage would take two more shots but both were off the mark.

 

Finally, in the 79^th minute, Murray raced down the left flank and sent a cross in to Mikayla Engel (Freshman, Austin, Texas) who headed the ball in to the back of the net from 10 yards out.

 

Angelo State made it interesting in the 83^rd minute when keeper Morgan Harrison’s punt got past everyone and Brandie DeBacker cut loose on a breakaway. Debacker beat Hilltopper goalkeeper Claire Tilton (Senior, Sugar Land, Texas) on a one-on-one to cut the lead in half. The Hilltopper defense would stiffen hold off the RamBelles the rest of the way to preserve the victory.

 

St. Edward’s dominated the stats against the RamBelles, outshooting them 12-2, and taking 12 cornerkicks compared to just one for Angelo State.

 

The Hilltoppers will be back in action Sunday when they host Washburn. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. at the Lewis-Chen Family Field. Live audio and stats will be available on the St. Edward’s Athletic Website.

 

As a member of NCAA Division II and the Heartland Conference, St. Edward’s, has captured 46 conference titles, advanced to the NCAA tournament 48 times and has produced 30 All-Americans and 24 Academic All-Americans since 1999.

 

Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, St. Edward's University is named among the top five "Up-and-Coming Universities" in the Western Region by its academic peers in a 2011 U.S. News & World Report survey. For eight consecutive years St. Edward's has been recognized as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report. St. Edward’s has also been named one of “America’s Best Colleges” by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability.

 

St. Edward's is a private, Catholic, liberal arts university of more than 5,400 students located in Austin, Texas. For more information on St. Edward’s University, visit http://www.stedwards.edu/athletics.