SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State soccer team edged out Texas A&M-Commerce to top the Lone Star Conference preseason poll which was released on Wednesday and reflects votes from head coaches, sports information directors and selected media members. ASU earned eight first-place votes and 82 total points, while the Lions received seven first-place votes and 80 total points in the preseason poll.

ASU is coming off a 16-5-1 season where they finished second in the conference standings behind the Lions in the 2014 season and reached the LSC Championship finals and then the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament. The Rambelles lost to the Lions in the conference tournament finals and in the national tournament to end one of the program's best seasons. While ASU and Commerce each had strong seasons which propelled them into the national tournament, Midwestern State, Eastern New Mexico, West Texas A&M and Texas Woman's are all capable teams of fighting for a conference title in 2015.  

"Every team in our conference is going to give us a battle," ASU head coach Travis McCorkle said. "We got off to a great start last season in our non-conference schedule and then we had some struggles once we started playing in conference because each team is strong. There's not one game on our conference schedule that you can overlook. We're looking forward to the season, but we'll have to be ready to compete a really high level if we are to win a Lone Star Conference championship this season."

Midwestern State was picked third with 48 points in the preseason poll and Eastern New Mexico was fourth with 44 points. West Texas A&M finished fifth (32) and Texas Woman's sixth (29). Angelo State opens its 2015 season with a five-game road trip with non-conference games against Adams State, New Mexico Highlands, Fort Lewis, Colorado Mesa and St. Mary's. The Rambelles make their home debut against Dallas Baptist on Sept. 17 and will open conference play on Sept. 25 against Texas A&M-Commerce in Commerce.
 

Angelo State Rambelle Quotes Megan Allen "This upcoming season I'm looking forward to playing at the collegiate level at Angelo State and I'm excited to be a part of such a sharp and competitive team. To me a team is successful from not only the fitness but the bonds created in preseason. The trust you have in yourself to get the job done and in your teammates is what makes or breaks a season and I can't wait to train with my Belles."      Selena Alvarez "I'm just ready for it to start. I feel that the returners are all on the same page as to what is expected for this season. Our biggest task at hand is getting the freshman to buy into what we are doing. We want to win plain and simple and I believe we are putting in the work and will continue to put in the work in order to do so. A team is successful when everyone has the same goal in mind. Think of it this way...you are strong alone but unstoppable together. It's cliché but it works for me."   Sierra Anderson "I'm looking forward to seeing how our hard work this summer is going to piece together. Our strength is our depth in returners. We have several game-changing players coming back that know our style of play! I think the thing that makes good teams become great and what is going to help lead us into an even greater season than previous years is the ability to make every player believe that we are the best."   Cynthia Andrews "I am looking forward to getting back together with the team and building and growing on the past two years. I think the key to success is how hard the team is not just willing to work, but to work and play for each other. I think with this aspect we will be able to see great things come out of our season."     Loni Byers "I'm looking forward to this upcoming season and being reunited with my teammates and getting to travel together and everything. I think our strength as a team will be our depth because we have a good amount of returners and incoming freshmen. What makes our team successful is how united we are. All of us get along and we are like sisters which makes us fight harder for each other. I think the key to establishing a good tone going into season will be to keep our eye on the end goal and work hard every practice so we are ready when the time comes to compete."    Tiffany Dang "Our biggest strength is the ability to be pushed past our limits. And doing that, I look forward to seeing how far we will go and defying the odds this upcoming season. A key thing for us to be successful is to look at the big picture and our end goal. We need to stay focused and know the complete value and importance of every game, every practice, and every drill. During fall practice, we have to push each other and hold everyone accountable for our mistakes and successes. We have to realize that we can say 'we want it' and we can believe it, but it doesn't matter if we don't show it. We have to make a statement and it all starts now."    Lauren Eshelman "This upcoming season I'm looking forward to the competition we will face in preseason and conference. I believe the strength of our team will come from the chemistry we have on and off the field. In order to have a successful program, everyone must be pushing each other to do their very best during each practice. The key to setting a good tone early is by eliminating bad habits when we arrive."     Ashley Exford "I'm looking forward to going undefeated this season and hosting the LSC Tournament and regionals and making it to the NCAA Tournament. Our strength as a team is our chemistry and work ethic. What makes our team successful is our communication with one another, our work ethic, and everyone understand their role on the team. Our key as a team coming into the fall practices is coming into two-a-days FIT and having great technique because it makes it easier on us and the coaches because we can move onto the other important things we need to focus on going into the season."    Kathleen Keoughan "In this upcoming season I am looking forward to seeing the outcome of all our hard work this past spring and Summer. The strength of our team is going to be our team chemistry. I think we all have a good understanding of what the person next to you wants to achieve and it does not hurt that we love to hang out with each other. In my experience, calmness and consistency make a successful team. This fall, we need to establish a consistent style of play and it will be easy to be calm during competition."    Jenny Kotowych "I'm really excited for this season because of how hard we've been working this summer. The coaches talk highly of the incoming freshman so I know they will make our team even better. A strength of our team has always been our team compatibility, we all work really well with together on & off the field which makes our play that much better. Finishing the ball will be key this fall; you can't win if you don't score."   Haley Mendel "I'm ready to play the other teams again and show them who Angelo State is. The strength of the team is the chemistry we have together. We all get along so well and it shows on and off the field. A team that is successful works hard all the time. They don't slack and always give 100 percent in practice, during weights, and in the classroom. In the fall, we need to come out strong like we did last year to prove that we have worked hard over summer and in preseason."   Natalie Nielsen "I am looking forward to seeing all the hard work everyone has put in this summer. Usually we have five people stay in Angelo in the summer, but this summer we had a drastic increase in the numbers that stayed. I think the strength of our team is our chemistry. We all work hard and work for each other on and off the field. In my experience what makes a team successful is having everyone be on the same page. If we have one way of making our team successful and everyone believes in it and does it that is what will make us successful. What will be key is having everyone start off strong and not ease into practice. Everyone needs to give 100 percent at practice like they play in the national championship game the next day."    Lauren Perry "I'm looking forward to getting to start another year with my team! Getting to play with such a special hard working group has been nothing but a blessing. We've all been working so hard this summer and getting better together, allowing us to be on the same page. The key to having a successful team is one respect for one another, and the want to work hard for each other when needed the most. Cultivating our team chemistry will be a huge part to our fall season success."   Kendall Ponce "I am looking forward to joining the team and putting in the work to contribute in a positive way and be very versatile. In my experience the teams that are the most successful are the teams that trust each other's abilities and can communicate well. Learning one another's strengths and weaknesses in the fall will be key so we can play to our potential and help each other improve."   Elizabeth Rodriguez "I'm looking forward to having a winning successful season and surpass the achievements from last season. I believe the strength of the team is going to be our ability to communicate clearly on the field and runs of the ball. For a team to be successful, it takes a team full of players with the crazy desire to win and not to prove others wrong, but to prove to themselves that all the insane hard work that they have put in has been worth it. The key for fall practice going into the season will be to have the serious attitude and constantly challenge and compete with one another to measures that will give us results." Payton Shlemon "I'm looking forward to a fresh, new start and making memories with my team. I think that as a team you must be one cohesive unit that shares strengths both offensively and defensively which is something that I I think we possess. The key to setting the tone for the season during fall practice will be communication."   Morgan Sibson "I am looking forward to being the team to beat in our conference and competing for the conference championship again. We didn't graduate many players so I think our strengths will be our team chemistry and how comfortable we will already be playing together. I think the key for our team being successful is hard work and dedication. Taking every practice like it's our last and competing every game like it's the championship."    Callie Smith "The one thing I am looking forward to the most this season is hopefully winning the conference championship and continuing farther into the regional tournament. I think the biggest strength of our team is unity. We have each other's backs through the ups and downs. In order for us to have the season we want, I think one key component will be having the ability to adapt to everything that comes our way. In my experience teamwork is the biggest thing that makes a team successful."    Hannah Wanzer "I am looking forward to playing soccer at one of the highest levels as this season begins. As an incoming Freshman I am not sure what to fully expect, but from every game I have attended the team has always been able to play both tactically and physically to overcome opponents. In my experience what makes a team most successful is everybody having the same drive to work their hardest for the other 10 girls on the field. During practice learning how to mesh together with new teammates and their styles of play will create a strong team and keep that bond all the girls talk about having with one another on and off the field."   Molly Warren "I am looking forward to working harder than ever towards winning conference and going deeper in the national tournament this season. I think as a whole our biggest strength is going to come from how we came so close to winning conference last year but just fell short. Our will to win is going to be at an all-time high. What makes a team successful is when everyone is on the same page and willing to put in work to reach a common goal. During fall practice the key is going to be staying focused on our goal and not letting outside distractions interfere with our practices and games. If we can focus on soccer and getting better during our practice time, I really don't think anything will hold us back."    Analise Watson "I am looking forward to making new friendships and playing at the next level of soccer. I our team will be physically and mentally strong for this upcoming season. Success comes from dedication and hard work. A team that is focused on their goals is usually the one to achieve them. I think working hard and staying focused will be a good start leading into the season."    Shay Williams "Since the last day of spring I've been waiting for season to start. As a returner I have a lot of fire built up from last season and I'm ready to let it all out on the field. I believe this year's team strength will be our drive to prove the conference we have what it takes to be champions!! Preseason is going to be crucial this year with all the new freshmen coming in. To become a great team we must hit our highs and lows together, so hopefully we can 'make and break' everyone early so that we are all ready to become one team and show everyone what we are made of."    Jaclyn Wittke "Coming into this season I am looking forward to becoming a part of this team and working hard to achieve our goals. I believe if we work hard, stay mentally and physically strong, and never quit we will be very successful and have many exciting games to remember."    Shantel Wittke "Ever since our last game in the fall, I have been looking forward to the start of season. I cannot wait to get back out on the field and be able to give it my all for my last year here at Angelo State. In the past, we have had great team chemistry which I believe has helped us in our past success, and I believe we will be able to carry on and help us this year to be successful. I believe that a key component to success is having one common goal between the coaches and players. The key to achieving our goal will be to find the one thing that will bring us the success we desire, and to live by that one thing until our goal is reached."