AUSTIN, Texas -- St. Edward's increased its winning streak to six with a 2-0 win against Heartland Conference opponent Dallas Baptist on Monday afternoon at Lewis-Chen Family Field. The No. 9 Hilltoppers are now 6-1-1 on the 2013 campaign.
St. Edward's didn't waste any time getting its offensive attack going as Karl Dezoeten got a shot off just one minute into the game, but it was blocked by the a Patriot defender. Daniel Riley and Jason Aiken also had attempts to score, but their shots both sailed wide left.
The offensive attack continued with multiple shots by Kyle Ruck, but a Dallas Baptist defender blocked both of the shots. The Hilltoppers had their first opportunity to score during the 38th minute of action. Kyle Pujats connected on a header from a Haiden Stiles corner kick, but the attempt was wide left. The teams went into halftime scoreless.
St. Edward's scored the first goal of the game at the 65:46 mark of the game. Anderson McDaniel raced down the left sideline and fired a cross through the box and Kyle Ruck connected on the header and gave the Hilltoppers the 1-0 lead. This was Ruck's second goal of the season.
The physicality of the game increased just minutes after Ruck's goal was scored. Sam Burns and David Balyeat of Dallas Baptist were involved in a physical play down the sideline as they fought for position. Balyeat received a red card and was ejected from the game, while Burns only received a yellow card.
The Hilltoppers played the rest of the way with a one-man advantage and capitalized. In the 77th minute, Ryan Dendinger scored his second goal of the season off a one-timer from about 15-yards out to increase the lead to 2-0. Jason Aiken provided the pass and the assist for the goal.
Karl Dezoeten had an opportunity score the third goal and put the stamp on the match but it just sailed left of the goal nearly missing. St. Edward's would melt the clock and record its sixth consectuve victory.
John Kaschak recorded his third consecutive shutout and hasn't allowed a goal in 345 minutes of competition time. The Hilltoppers outshot the Patriots 15-4 for the contest. St. Edward's was charged with 20 fouls to the Patriots 15.
"We had two or three chances very early in the game, chances we need to finish," St. Edward's head coach Brian Young said. "I thought the team came out determined to play soccer and put pressure on Dallas Baptist defense with out attack and we were able to score a pair of nice goals."
