Editor’s Note: This story has been updated throughout.

After their win on Nov. 15, the No. 5 seed St. Edward’s University women’s soccer team is advancing to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Division II Tournament against No. 2 seed Dallas Baptist University.

The St. Edward’s women’s soccer team defeated the No. 1 seed Angelo State University 1-0 in the second round of the Tournament. Angelo State had earned the right to host the game, but could not make use of their home field advantage. 

“It was a win that we deserved because of the discipline and determination of the team,” Head Coach Nick Cowell said. “The players had a game plan, and even though we were missing one of our key players Julia Harrison due to injury, they stuck to it and scored the decisive goal.”

Both teams sought an early goal, but just over 20 minutes into the game, lightning caused an hour-and-half delay. Once play resumed, St. Edward’s and Angelo State unsuccessfully scrambled to find a goal in the first half.

In the 57th minute, sophomore defender Viktoria Malmros made a cross from the right to junior defender Jennifer Boudreau, who headed the ball into the net for the first goal of the game.

“On offense, our challenge was to attack certain areas of their defense that we thought were weaker, and not leave our defense vulnerable in transition,” Cowell said.

Although Angelo State tried making several shots throughout the game, the St. Edward’s defense and junior goalkeeper Lorrie Santoy would make seven saves to prevent the RamBelles from scoring.

“I thought our defense did very well containing Angelo State,” Santoy said. “They had fast forwards who like to dribble and beat defenders, but we were able to put strong pressure on them and limit their opportunities. The midfield and forwards also did a great job of applying pressure and winning tackles.”

The final score in the Round of 32 would end 1-0 with a victory for St. Edward’s, improving their current record to 14-5-1.

“I am proud of the whole team, which includes our athletic training staff who worked hard and got our team ready to play this weekend,” Cowell said.

The third round of the playoffs is set to feature a Heartland Conference rematch against rival Dallas Baptist.

The last time these two teams faced each other was at the Heartland Conference Championship on Nov. 8, where Dallas Baptist narrowly defeated the Hilltoppers 2-1 in sudden death extra time.

After the tough loss, senior defender and captain Katie Donahue said that the championship game performance was the best St. Edward’s had played against Dallas Baptist all season and that she hoped to see Dallas Baptist again throughout the Tournament.

This isn’t the first time Dallas Baptist and St. Edward’s have faced each other in the playoffs. 

Just last season, the Hilltoppers defeated Dallas Baptist in the preliminary round and finished their season in the Round of 32, just shy of a Sweet 16 appearance.

This is now the team’s fifth Sweet 16 appearance in the last 10 seasons under the direction of SEU Head Coach Nick Cowell. 

St. Edward’s also reached Elite Eight in 2013 and 2010, according to SEU Athletics.

“DBU is a great team. It is exciting for the Heartland Conference to have two teams in the regional final,” Cowell said.

“Coming off two great wins, the team is very excited to lengthen our season and get another opportunity to play with each other,” Santoy said. “Moving forward, we are looking to bring the same winning mentality we showed this past weekend in our upcoming playoff game.”

The winner of the highly anticipated St. Edward’s vs. Dallas Baptist game on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., will be named the South Central Regional Champion and continue in the Elite Eight.