DENTON, Texas (Sept. 23 2023) – The Texas Woman's soccer team defended their home field and recorded their first Lone Star Conference win against St. Edwards with a 2-0 result in which Giselle Gutierrez was the star of the match. 

TWU (6-1-1, 1-1) handed SEU (2-2-1, 1-1) their second loss of the season, and not only were they able to record a win, but also another shutout game against a quality opponent in St Edward's. 

In the first 20 minutes of the game, SEU dominated possession of the ball and gave the Pioneers a tough time on their own side of the field. The Hilltoppers had five shots and three corner kick opportunities before the first TWU goal. After the first water break, the Pioneers made some key substitutions that changed the game for them.

Abby Powers and Gutierrez, the players behind the first goal, came onto the field in the 25th and 26th minute respectively. In the 27th minute, Powers received the ball from a Hilltopper in an intent to block a pass. From just outside the left side of the box, she sent a cross into the area, where Gutierrez was in the perfect position to slightly touch the ball with her right foot and send it to the back of the Hilltoppers' net. The Pioneers took the 1-0 lead. 

Less than eight minutes after the first goal and with a little over ten minutes until the end of the first half, the Pioneers scored the second goal from a free kick just in front of the half line. Rylee Avery took the free kick and sent the ball to the penalty mark leaving the Hilltoppers' defensive back line behind. Once again, Gutierrez, positioned in the perfect spot of the box, touched the ball with her magic right foot, and sent it in for the Pioneers' second goal. 

These two goals tie Gutierrez and Alyssa Striker with the most goals scored for the Pioneers (3). This also positions them ninth and tenth in the LSC in goals with a .375 average. Striker leads the LSC in shots on goal with a total of 15 this season. 

This game also marks the fifth shutout game for the Pioneers, who have only allowed two goals in eight matches this season. The junior, Amanda Farris still leads the goals against average (.254) and shutouts per games (.625) in the LSC. Farris was only tested twice during the match, but she was consistent and dependable under the goal posts. 

The low number of saves Farris had to endure and the low number of goals against the Pioneers is a reflection of the their exceptional defensive line. Erica Brelove, Hayley Masoner, Rylee Avery, Alyssa Valdez and Rayne Islas proved once again to be the brick wall to beat. 

TWU is one of only two teams in the LCS to have conceded just two goals on the season, along with Oklahoma Christian, who is the Pioneers' next opponent. The Pioneers are also the team with the most shots on goal in the LSC with 133 shots on goal recorded in eight games. 

Texas Woman's is back at Pioneer Soccer Park on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Come support the Pioneers and help us celebrate our faculty and staff members. 

-PIONEERS-