Blair Woodward and the UT Permian Basin Women's Soccer defense stood on their head all afternoon in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference playoffs.  Woodward made five saves to keep the Falcons in the game as they faced constant pressure from the St. Edward's attack.  The freshman keeper played aggressively cutting off several Hilltopper attacks before they could record a shot, while also making several difficult saves.
 
The Hilltoppers had their chances towards the end of the first half but the Falcon defense came up clutch.  In the 39^th minute of action Woodward made a diving, fingertip save keeping the Hilltoppers out of the net.  She made another spectacular stop in the final minute of the half, charging on a breakaway for the save before the rebound hit the crossbar.
 
The Falcons had their best chance of the afternoon early in the second half.  They forced a corner, but Marian Valdez's header sailed just wide left.  As great as the defense was all afternoon, they couldn't hold late as the Hilltoppers scored twice in the final 10 minutes in addition to one in the first half for the 3-0 final.
 
"Blair was terrific today," said Head Coach Lynsey Winkler.  "We played today with a lot of heart.  Right now we're banged up and have people playing positions they don't normally.  Sarah (Sanchez) and Kylee (Friedland) are work horses in the middle.  They had great games and kept us together."
 
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