Hilltoppers advance to Elite Eight for the first time
The St. Edward’s University women’s soccer team has advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the first time in school history on Thursday with a 3-2 victory at home over Central Missouri.
The Hilltoppers defeated the Jennies with a late goal in the 79th minute by junior Brianna Hinnenkamp.
“I thought today, (Central Missouri) were an excellent team,” women’s head coach Nick Cowell said. “They were strong, physical, and athletic, but we kept finding a way to score goals.”
Freshman Rachel Murray put St. Edward’s on the board first with an early goal assisted by junior Kelly Servage in the third minute.
The Hilltoppers then added to the lead with an unassisted goal by Hinnenkamp in the 37th minute, giving St. Edward’s a 2-0 advantage.
The Jennies responded with a goal of their own off a free kick from 25 yards out one minute later, and then evened the score in the 42nd minute with an unassisted goal taken by Aaryn Burke.
The Hilltoppers and Jennies went into halftime with an even 2-2 score.
“We were very disappointed at halftime to have let them back in the game,” Cowell said. “Normally when we are two-nil up, we can seal the game off, but we weren’t able to do that.”
Looking to keep the Central Missouri offense off of the scoreboard in the second half, the Hilltoppers changed their playing formation to a more conservative style, Cowell said.
Hinnenkamp scored what turned out to be the deciding goal for the Hilltoppers with 11 minutes left in the game. The Hilltoppers then held Central Missouri scoreless until time expired.
“Once you make it this far you don’t want to lose,” Murray said. “Once you’ve made it past a certain point it’s all about going all the way.”
The Hilltoppers will take on UC-San Diego (16-2-3) in the Elite Eight on Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. at the St. Edward’s soccer field. Tickets for the game are $10 for adults, $5 for students (with an ID) and senior citizens, and $2 for children ages 2-12. Children under two will be admitted for free.
The winner of that game will go on to play in the NCAA Division II Final Four in Louisville, Ky.
