THE RUNDOWN
Dallas Baptist dropped a 1-0 contest in overtime to St. Edward's University in a Heartland Conference showdown on Saturday afternoon in the Championship match. The Hilltoppers (14-4) took advantage of doubling their shooting efforts, 16-8, and DBU (14-4-1) could not break through in extra regulation.
 
It is the third time these programs have been involved in a match determined by a single goal, and fourth in a row dating back to last year. Saturday's contest was also back-to-back affairs the teams required overtime, with the Patriots dropping each.
 
The latest setback coming into this matchup was a double overtime loss at home to the Hilltoppers. That final result was also 1-0. DBU had rattled off 10-straight victories since then, including eight in a row to Heartland opponents.
 
The road squad was led by senior Lea Sedwick and junior Ashley Cox with two shots apiece. Cox, who posted the only goal for DBU against the Heartland Champions this campaign, was perfect on her shots on goal percentage.
 
Also tallying attempts that were on target included: junior Jolee Patterson and redshirt junior Dixie Kurrus, and freshman Leah Draper.
 
Senior Kerry Edwards worked 97:32 minutes and picked up three saves while allowing the lone netter in the setback.
 
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
DBU posted four shots in the opening half and also followed with three in the second frame, but could not find the back of the net. Neither squad had much luck in regulation, and the home team had ample opportunities with seven shots per stanza, but solid defense by the Patriots kept them at bay.
 
Two of the Patriots' three saves occurred off the first pair of attempts by SEU within the first 12 minutes of the beginning of the match.
 
The field conditions still seemed muddy from rainy weather earlier in the week, as neither team seemed to be in a rhythm offensively. At halftime, the scoreboard remained scoreless, which was expected in this rival showdown.
 
In the second half, it was the same result with St. Edward's getting a few more opportunities, particularly in the final three minutes, to find a game-winner, but could not capitalize.
 
DBU's best shot in regulation was a header in the 79:59 minute mark by Sedwick that was scooped up by the Hilltoppers' keeper, Lorrie Santoy.
 
Both regular season affairs were decided by 1-0 totals, and it would be apparent once again that this contest would be determined by the same count. The Patriots have already set a program-high in overtime matches involved in this year. Coming into the conference title game, DBU had fallen in its last two efforts; both in the second overtime frame.
 
Whythneigh Duffie lifted the hosting school to the championship and automatic bid in the NCAA South Central Regional next week with her fourth goal of the season. Her golden foot produced the victory result in the 98^th minute.
 
Setting the game-high shooter up with her third attempt was Lauren Heller, who crossed a pass on the right side to create an excellent header finish by Saturday's hero.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
6 – Shot on goal attempts by DBU
5 – Overtime affairs for the Women's Soccer Team
0 – Corner kicks the Patriots received (8 for opposition)
23 – Fouls combined in the match
6 – Saves that Santoy collected for the Hilltoppers
11 – One-goal matches Dallas Baptist has been involved in (won 7)
 
TOP QUOTE
"It was a tough loss for us today. The girls fought very hard and the game could have gone either way at any moment. We had some unfortunate early injuries that caused us to look to our depth off the bench in the first minutes of the game. I thought those girls really stepped up and played well. We did all we could today and it just didn't fall our way in the end." - Head Coach Michelle Lenard

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
A trio of players from the Patriots were named after the contest to the Heartland Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team. Back on the list for solid defenisve efforts were seniors Jake Cox and Edwards. Earning the bid for the first time in her career was freshman Leah Draper. 

UP NEXT
Dallas Baptist awaits to discover which tournament regional it will be selected for. More information will be available in a couple days on dbupatriots.com.