St. Edward’s University’s women’s soccer team started the season with a serious of victories, winning all four games they’ve played to open the season. The Hilltoppers’ defeated Angelo State, Washburn, Missouri Southern State and Texas A&M-Commerce.

In the 2-1 victory over Angelo State on Sept. 2, Sophomore Rachel Murray scored one goal and assisted on another. Murray scored in the first half off an assist by Kelly Servage. In the second half, Murray assisted Engel on a header. The Hilltoppers scored three more goals in the second half to defeat Washburn 4-0. St. Edward’s only goal in the first half was scored by Engel, her second goal in two games. The three second-half goals were scored by Murray, Servage and Trapani.

Just prior to Hillfest on Sept. 9, St. Edward’s used two first-half goals to beat Missouri Southern State. Murray, a naturally right-footed player, scored the first goal in the game’s  tenth minute with her left foot. Servage scored in the 37th minute when her pass richoceted off a Missouri Southern State defender and into the net.            

Against Texas A&M-Commerce on Sept. 11, Head Coach Nick Cowell earned his three-hundreth career victory with the team’s 1-0 win. The game’s lone goal was scored by none other than Murray, who has scored in all four of the season’s games. In the second half, St. Edward’s Jordan Ynostrosa was given a red card, which meant the Hilltoppers had to play a player short for the final 14 minutes. The Hilltopper defense responded by holding Texas A&M-Commerce scoreless for a third-straight shutout.  

Goalkeeper Claire Tilton was named the Heartland Conference Player of the Week for the week of Aug. 29-Sept. 4 after allowing just one goal in two games. Tilton earned the tenth shutout of her career against Washburn. Though she was happy to win the award,”it would not have been possible without the hard work and collective efforts of the entire team,” said Tilton. Tilton is “an amazingly athletic keeper,” who has “improved the mental side of her game and her foot skills,” said Coach Cowell.

Cowell has posted an impressive 80-15-8 record in his five seasons as head coach. Last season he became the school’s all-time wins leader. When asked about his expectations for this year’s team, Cowell said “making the NCAA Tournament and winning conference” are the minimum requirements of a successful season.

The 2011 St. Edward’s women’s soccer team is “young and hungry but has a way to go to equal the achievements of previous years,” Cowell said. “There is no reason why we can’t make it to the NCAA Final