The St. Edward’s University women’s soccer team has not lost a game all season, and after making it through the first two rounds of the NCAA National tournament, they are headed to the Sweet Sixteen with a record of 18-0-2.

The Hilltoppers beat the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks on Nov. 17 in Durango, Colo. on the Skyhawks’ home field. After a scoreless 90 minutes, junior Riana Soobadoo found the back of the net in the 96th minute to win the game in dramatic fashion. It was Soobadoo’s third goal of the season.

“As soon as it went in, everything was such a blur. It was unbelievable and it’s moments like that which remind you why you play,” Soobadoo said after the game.

This year’s team started strong and never hit the brakes. They have outscored opponents 59-5 and are averaging over three goals a game.

This is Nick Cowell’s eighth season as head coach of the soccer team and claims that great leadership and team chemistry are key to this team’s success.

“They are a fun, hardworking group and have set themselves very high expectations,” Cowell said.

Senior Rachel Murray is one of the leaders that has been important to the team’s success so far this season. Murray is the second-leading goal scorer on the team and tied for second in assists, but she has not been able to play for the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament because of a hamstring injury. Despite Murray not being able to participate, she believes the team’s success can be attributed to their depth. 

“We also have a very deep team this year, making for a competitive environment so everybody is always fighting for a starting position,” Murray said.

This team has had their eyes on the National Championship all year. The seniors and Cowell came up with a hashtag that is on the back of the team’s practice jerseys: #7am2ga. The NCAA Final Four will be in Athens, Georgia this year and working hard at all the team’s 7 a.m. practices will be worth it once they reach their goal.

The Hilltoppers are set to play Metro State University on Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. in Bellingham, Wash. The match holds great significance, as St. Edward’s lost to Metro State in the second round of the 2012 NCAA tournament and tied them 1-1  during the 2013 regular season.