Men’s soccer shutout Lindenwood, McMurry, lose to Incarnate Word

The men’s soccer team began the 2011 season with high expectations. The Hilltopers were picked to finish first in the Heartland Conference in a poll voted on by conference coaches and Sports Information Directors.

The Hilltoppers hope to build off the success the team had last season. St. Edward’s finished the 2010 season in second place in the Heartland Conference.The Hilltoppers’ ten wins in the 2010 season were the second most victories for the program in the past ten years. The team roster includes thirteen letter winners and 6 returning starters, including seniors Bryan Booth and Terry Stewart, juniors Gavin Bruce and J.R. Ellis and sophomores Matt McLaughlin and Daniel Riley.

The Hilltoppers defeated McMurry 4-0 in the opening game of the season on Sept. 1. St. Edward’s scored three goals in the second half to coast to victory. James Martin scored the first goal in the first half on a high-arching corner kick. Junior Robert Olivieri scored in the 48th minute off an assist from Booth. Sophomore Daniel Pena scored in the 52nd minute off an assist from Olivieri. Freshman Andrew Fox scored the final goal in the 87th minute on a penalty kick.

The Hilltoppers swept the Heartland Conference Weekly Awards following the shutout against McMurry. Booth was named Defensive Player of the Week and Olivieri was named Offensive Player of the Week.

St. Edward’s came up short in their second game against rival Incarnate Word on Sept. 7. The first half of the match ended with Incarnate Word up 1-0. The Hilltoppers tied the game with header by freshman Barrett Barger, assisted by Martin. Incarnate Word scored two goals in a span of eight minutes to build a 3-1 lead. With three minutes remaining, Fox scored off a give-and-go with Ellis to bring the score to 2-3, Incarnate Word. The Hilltoppers had two corner kick opportunities in the final minute, but were unable to tie the game before the clock ran out.

St. Edward’s hosted Lindenwood on Sunday, Sept. 11. The Hilltoppers dominated the game from start to finish, winning 5-0. Pena netted the Hilltoppers’ first goal in the 16th minute off an assist from Olivieri. Just two minutes later, Ellis scored off an assist from Martin.

The Hilltoppers defeated the Lindenwood Lions on Sept. 11 with a final score of 5-0.

St. Edward’s set the pace and scored the first goal after sixteen minutes of play. Sophomore forward Daniel Pena headed the ball into the net off a cross from junior mid-fielder Robert Olivieri and freshman defender Coleton Stymiest.

Two minutes later, junior forward JR Ellis scored on a breakaway in the 18th minute to bring the score to 2-0. Ellis was assisted by Junior mid-fielder James Martin.

Freshman Sam Burns scored his first collegiate goal in the 32nd minute with an assist from junior Tyler Miles. Fox would score in the seventy-seventh minute off another assist from Miles. Fox scored again four minutes later off a pass from junior Peter Gordon.

Freshman Andrew Fox scored twice in the second half to bring the score to 5-0, St. Edward’s. Fox scored in the seventy-seventh minute, assisted by Miles. The last goal of the match was scored in the 81st minute by Fox, who was assisted by Junior Peter Gordon.

Some factors that went into St. Edward’s victory over Lindenwood were the team’s overall fitness, the heat and Lindenwood’s frustration over not yet winning a match this season.

“It’s a hot day and we’re used to training during the heat of the day because we don’t have lights, and that certainly didn’t favor Lindenwood,” Head Coach Brian Young said. “They haven’t won a game yet so as a team it gets a little frustrating at times. That’s why it was so important for us to score right away and score as many goals as we