SAN ANGELO - The Angelo State soccer team will start its 2017 regular season this at 5 p.m. Friday in Commerce, Texas, taking on the University of Central Oklahoma in the Lion Soccer Classic. The Belles will also take on Florida Tech as a part of the classic at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Returning to the Belles this season are 19 players from last year's squad as well as 10 newcomers. The 2016 ASU team went 11-7-2 overall with a 7-5 record in the LSC, finishing fourth in the conference overall.
The Belles gave up less than a goal per game to opponents in 2016, posting a goals against average of .80, which ranked third best in the conference. Returning to the defense this year is sophomore Kylie Deel, senior Callie Smith, sophomore Cecilia Guerrero, senior Molly Warren and junior Jaclyn Wittke. Both Smith and Warren played in all 20 games last season with Smith starting in 18 games and Warren starting 16 times.
ASU is also returning all three goal keepers from last year's roster, including Sammy Cude, Lauren Eshelman and Elyssia Lucio. Cude started all but one of the games in goal for the Belles last season, allowing just 15 goals in 19 starts. The California native made 59 saves with a save percentage of .797 and posted seven shutouts on the year. Eshelman played in a pair of games as well, making one start and a pair of saves on the season. Lucio is returning for her second season with the Belles after playing at Dodge City Community College. In her sophomore year at Dodge City, Lucio made 76 saves and posted three shutouts. Â
The defense has also added five newcomers to the mix with Marissa Brezgiel, Janessa Dunbar, Kyah Carlsen, Amber Norris and Meagan Denn. Dunbar is the only one with prior collegiate soccer experience, playing at Paradise Valley College for two years prior to coming to ASU. The Arizona native was named a junior college Second Team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America last season with the Pumas.
In the midfield, the Belles return the most experience with four seniors and a pair of returning juniors. Morgan Sibson, Megan Allen and Elizabeth Rodriguez all played in all 20 games for the Belles last season.
Senior Loni Byers was the top goal scorer from the midfield last season with three, and the California native had one assists as well. Returners Tiffany Dang, Allen and Analise Watson also scored a goal each in 2016. Dang also tied for second on the team with three assists.
Sophomores Eryn Harrington, Peyton Walter and Laia Pujades are also returning to the team, and ASU added three newcomers in Jacquelyn Ramirez, Avery McNeme and Adison McNeme.
The forward group includes Mackenzie Broderick, Ally Warren, Cassandra Mossburger, and Treneday Scott. Scott is the top returning goal-scorer for the Belles, finding the back of the net four times in her freshman campaign. Ally Warren also scored a pair goals last season, playing in all 20 games. Broderick and Moosburger are both new to ASU this season, transferring from Otero Junior College and Antelope Valley College, respectively.
The Belles are led by head coach Travis McCorkle, who is in his ninth season at the helm. McCorkle notched his 100th win at ASU during the 2016 season, and he is already the winningest coach in Belle soccer history.
ASU will also be on the road for the second weekend of the season, but the Belles will return to San Angelo for their 2017 home opener at 12 p.m. on September 17 against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
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