The St. Edward’s University women’s soccer team advanced to the Sweet 16, the third round of the NCAA Div. II Women’s Soccer Championships, after defeating the University of the Incarnate Word 1-0 Sunday.

The Hilltoppers began the first round of the NCAA Tournament by defeating the University of Central Oklahoma on Friday. After the match was kept scoreless through two overtimes, the Hilltoppers came out of a decisive penalty kick shootout on top, 5-4 over the Bronchos.

Sophomore Goalkeeper Claire Tilton saved two of the Bronchos’ penalty kicks. Senior Forward Kim Abbott scored the game-winning penalty kick for the Hilltoppers.

St. Edward’s (16-3-1) outshot Central Oklahoma 21-7, and the Hilltoppers tallied nine corner kicks to the Bronchos’ one. This game advanced St. Edward’s to Sunday’s game against the second seed in the South Central Region, Incarnate Word, which had a first-round bye.

“I feel like it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a special team,” senior Forward Stacey Copeland said. “I think the team unity, the way the coaches prepare us and our desire to win makes this a special year.”

St. Edward’s faced off against the Cardinals (15-2-3) in the third match-up this season.  In the first meeting, the Hilltoppers earned a 2-1 victory in Austin. However, the Cardinals won 1-0 in the second match-up in San Antonio.

On Sunday, the only goal of the game came in the 32nd minute when senior Defender Alex Podowski headed the ball into the net from a corner kick by sophomore Midfielder Bethany Bennett.

St. Edward’s kept possession the majority of the game, outshooting the Cardinals 13-4 and allowing no shots on goal for the Cardinals. Tilton and the Hilltopper defense stopped the few breakaway chances for Incarnate Word.

“I thought the game was a good exhibition for Div. II women’s soccer,” said Head Coach Nick Cowell. “Both teams can play at a high level.  Every game we play each other is a one-goal game. It’s a good rival but with good sportsmanship.”

The Hilltoppers will face #13 West Texas A&M University (15-2-3) on Nov. 20 at the University of California at San Diego.

“We [are] match[ed] up against a team we’ve played already,” said Abbott. “We are confident about the way we will match up against [them].”

West Texas A&M advanced to the third round after defeating Truman University 1-0 Sunday.

“Our team knows we can play with the top teams,” said Cowell. “We are just going to enjoy it and see where it takes us.”