DENTON - The Angelo State soccer team ended its weekend road trip on a high note, scoring three unanswered goals to defeat Texas Woman's 3-1 Sunday afternoon.
The Belles (7-2-1, 4-1-1) held the Pioneers scoreless for the final 62 minutes of the match after giving up an early goal to secure their fourth Lone Star Conference victory.
"TWU put a tremendous amount of pressure on us in the first 45 minutes," Angelo State Head Soccer Coach Travis McCorkle said. "I'm not sure if they could have kept it up, but we made an adjustment in the second have to push back and play with three forwards. I think that was the difference maker."
Allie Chapman got the game's opening goal for TWU in the 27th minute, volleying the ball in from 18 yards out. It would be the last goal ASU allowed on the day.
Callie Smith, Marissa Brezgiel, Meagan Denn, Janessa Dunbar, Kyah Carlsen and Molly Warren made up the back line and fended off the Pioneer pressure throughout the game. The Pioneers worked hard in the opening period to get off ten shots, but were limited to just five the whole second half.
Goalkeeper Sammy Cude did her part to keep the Pioneers from scoring as well, making eight saves in the game. The California native now has 59 saves for the season, matching her total from 2016.
The change to three forwards at halftime also left the Belles with just three midfielders the rest of the game.
Avery McNeme, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Morgan Sibson, Megan Allen and Analise Watson started the game in the midfield and were helped out by Tiffany Dang, Loni Byers and Adison McNeme. The eight players worked hard throughout the match to creat scoring chances as well as defend.
Angelo State brought the score back even with less than 10 minutes to play in the first half, getting their first goal of the season from a defender.
Janessa Dunbar was credited with the score, shooting inside the near post after the ball was deflected in the six-yard box. The goal was Dunbar's first at ASU and allowed the Belles to go into the break tied 1-1.
Just 14 minutes into the second half ASU took the lead, getting a second goal from a defender. Molly Warren headed the ball into the back of the net this time, getting just the second goal of her Angelo State career.
Tiffany Dang assisted the goal, marking the second of the season for the North Richland Hills native.
"We got some goals from some unexpected players today, so that was nice to see," McCorkle said. "Janessa did a great job finishing the play to score the goal that tied the game up and then Molly did what we know she can do, scoring a great header to give us the lead."
Several other Belles created scoring chances during the game and got off shots on goal, including Megan Allen, Analise Watson, and Trenadey Scott.
ASU put the game away in the 76th minute, getting their first goal of the day from a forward. Midfielder Megan Allen pushed the ball out wide on the Belle attack and served a cross into the penalty area, where Mackenzie Broderick headed it past the TWU goalkeeper for ASU's 3-1 lead. It was Allen's third assist of the season, tying her with Avery McNeme for the team lead.
The Belles held the lead for the final 24 minutes of the match to close out the win. They will be back on the road next weekend taking on Eastern New Mexico on Friday in Portales, New Mexico and West Texas A&M on Sunday in Canyon.
