HOUSTON The Howard Payne University women’s soccer team, defeated The University of St. Thomas, 5-4, Wednesday to start the regular season.

Caitlyn Hernandez and Lexi De La Cruz highlighted the match, scoring two goals each for Howard Payne.

The Lady Jackets fell behind early, allowing St. Thomas to score the first goal in the fifth minute of the match but tied things up in the 10th minute. Kate Recendez scored a goal from an assist by Lindsey Schiller to put HPU on the board.

Lexi De La Cruz scored the second goal of the afternoon in the 30th minute from an assist by Kate Recendez to give Howard Payne the lead.

Caitlyn Hernandez scored back-to-back goals in the 34th and 35th minute of the match to put Howard Payne on top 4-1. Addie Carrol earned the assist the third goal.

St. Thomas scored a goal in the 44th minute of the game to make the score 4-2 at the end of the first period with the Lady Jackets on top.

St. Thomas got the first two goals of the second period, scoring in the 51st and 68th minute of the match to tie the game.

Lexi De La Cruz scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute to give the Lady Jackets the 5-4 lead.

The Lady Jackets were able to hold off the Celts for the remainder of the match to claim the 5-4 road victory.

Delaney Castor and Emily Williamson each played 45 minutes in the goal for HPU and both recorded two saves and allowed two goals each.

The Howard Payne Lady Jackets are now 1-0 on the season and will be back in action on Saturday, September 4th, at Citizens National Bank Field in Brownwood, Texas. They will take on Paul Quinn College at 4:30 PM.