The St. Edward’s men’s soccer team opened up Heartland Conference play with a 4-3 win to bring their record to 3-1. Junior James Martin scored the final goal off a penalty kick in overtime against UT-Permian Basin on Sept. 16.

The game started as a battle for between the Falcons and the Hilltoppers, each team giving it their all.  St. Edward’s set the pace in the 19th minute when junior JR Ellis scored from the top of the box off of a throw from sophomore Matt McLaughlin. Less than a minute later, sophomore Daniel Pena passed a low cross to Ellis, who scored again with a one touch hit just past the diving goalkeeper to bring the score to 2-0, St. Edward’s.

In the 36th minute, the Falcon’s German Chavarria played a through ball to forward Tyler Pate, who shot to the low right corner of the goal. The first half ended with the Hilltoppers leading 2-1.

Within the first minute of the second half, junior Robert Olivieri scored when freshman Sam Burns crossed the ball behind the Falcon’s defense.      

Though the Hilltoppers had a 3-1 lead, the Falcons weren’t ready to give up the fight just yet. In the 55th minute, Chavarria hit a corner kick that found its way to Dylan Slaughter’s head and into the goal for the Falcon’s second goal.

In the 62nd minute, the Falcons scored off a penalty kick to tie the game 3-3 after a foul was called against the Hilltoppers.

The game went into overtime. In the 96th minute, the Falcon’s goalkeeper fouled junior Tyler Miles in the goalie box. Junior James Martin took the penalty kick and netted the ball in the right corner of the goal with ease to win the game 4-3.       

According to St. Edward’s men’s soccer Head Coach Brian Young, the team has “been working on the final third and some combination plays which ended up being successful on all our Sunday.”     

The Hilltoppers, who now have a season record of 3-1, will play #3 Midwestern State on Sept. 18 at 1:00 p.m.