THE LEAD
The Dallas Baptist University Women's Soccer Team defeated No. 9 St. Edward's in penalty kicks, 5-4, in the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship on Saturday afternoon at Lewis-Chen Family Field in Austin, Texas. Errica Everson scored the gamewinning penalty kick on First Team All-Heartland Conference goalkeeper Lorrie Santoy to win the conference championship.

After the Patriots and Hilltoppers were held scoreless through 110 minutes of play, the teams went into the first penalty shootout in Heartland Conference Championship history. Entering the fifth round of penalty kicks, DBU and St. Edward's were tied at four apiece. Goalkeeper Hope Koym saved Whytneigh Duff's attempt, allowing Everson to make hers to give the Patriots the victory.

DBU goalkeeper Hope Koym made seven saves in the match, including three in penalty kicks, and Santoy made two saves for the Hilltoppers.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
 - The Patriots have won the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship two years in a row.
 - Hope Koym has only allowed one goal in the past five matches.
 - St. Edward's outshot the Patriots 13-5 and 7-3 on goal.

COACH MICHELLE LENARD - ON THE TEAM'S SECOND-STRAIGHT CONFERENCE TITLE
"It's hard to define what this championship means to this team. Nothing has come easy for us this year. We have had to learn what it means to really work and grind. I am so proud of the girls and their resilience and commitment to the process. We battled for all 110 minutes. We did everything we could, and when we got our chance, we took it. The girls were not going to accept defeat today. Before the game, I told them how proud I am of them for how far we have come this season. It was never easy, but it was worth every difficult day."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
2 - DBU is just the second team to defeat the Hilltoppers this season.
5 - The Patriots extended their win streak to five games, their second-longest for the season.
1 - Saturday marks DBU's first win over a ranked opponent this season.