THE LEAD
Dallas Baptist University clinched the regular season title for the Heartland Conference with a 3-1 win over St. Mary's on Thursday night at Patriot Soccer Field. The Patriots improved their conference record to 6-0-1 and lead St. Mary's and St. Edward's by four points with one match to play.

The Rattlers held a 1-0 lead through most of the first quarter after an early goal by Heather Dawson. In the 42nd, minute, defender Emilie MacDonald scored the equalizer. Freshman Maddie Owen scored the game-winner in the 56th minute after Lindsey Washburn placed a free kick in the box that Owen finished off for her fourth goal of the season.

Senior Lindsey Eccles added a third goal in the 64th minute off a header from MacDonald to secure the 3-1 win. DBU fired off 19 shots and placed nine shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Jenna Ackerly played the full 90:00 and made five saves, earning her 11th win of the season.

COACH MICHELLE LENARD - ON BOUNCING BACK FROM A SLOW START
"I don't think we started out the way we wanted to. We came out with plenty of intensity. We were working hard and so were they. We sort of let the intensity take over the game and we sort of got away from the game plan a little bit. We got exposed early on a defensive error and found ourselves down one. No one wants to be in that position, but I'm really proud of the response from the girls to keep their heads straight and go out there and stick to the game plan and execute and get that tying goal. After that, I knew there was no question we would get the game-winner at some point."

MADDIE OWEN - ON HER IMPACT AS A NEWCOMER
"I think one of the main things is what coach talks about in practice. You have to go your hardest, because if you don't go your hardest in practice, you won't go your hardest in the game. It's important to be selfless on the field and be able to make runs for your teammates."

REBECCA KERNEN - ON MENTALITY OF BIG GAME
"To us, we are going to go hard into every game and we are in it to win it. We are here to play our best and be the best we can"

IN THE NUMBERS
3 - This season marks the third Heartland Conference regular season title for DBU since 2011 (2011, 2012).
7 - The Patriots earned seven corner kicks in the match.
9 - Maddie Owen has registered nine points in the last three matches.

UP NEXT FOR THE PATRIOTS
DBU hosts Texas A&M-International in the regular season finale at Patriot Soccer Field on Saturday, October 31, at 2:30 p.m.