SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The 15^th-ranked Angelo State women's soccer team defeated St. Mary's in dramatic fashion, scoring in overtime to win 2-1 on the road at Sigma Beta Chi Field on Wednesday.
 
With the win, the Belles remain undefeated on the year as they improve to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in Lone Star Conference play while the Rattlers fall to 4-3 overall, 1-2 in the LSC.
 
"Good win on the road, we had some early chances that could have changed some things and let the wind get to us a little bit, it was hard to make good decisions, but we did much better in the second half," said Head Coach Travis McCorkle.
 
Both teams came out firing in the opening period with the Rattlers just missing a shot to the right of the goal while Angelo State answered with an opportunity from Kiah Benham heading the ball just in reach of the keeper.
 
The Belles kept up the pressure, tallying seven first half shots including two from Avery McNeme that both ended in saves. Moments later, Mia Czarnecki landed another shot on target with the same results as both teams remained scoreless.
 
St. Mary's eventually broke the tie, finding the back of the net in the closing moments of the half to take a 1-0 lead with just under three minutes to go.
 
"Credit to St. Mary's, they did everything to disrupt us, they pressed the midfield and were problematic," said McCorkle. "It was tough, giving up the goal was unfortunate, but we will learn from that mistake and hopefully not make it again."
 
Angelo State continued to push the ball into its attacking third, as McNeme recorded another shot on goal. The Belles evened the score just three minutes into the second half as Valerie Solis controlled the ball at the top of the box before firing the ball off her left foot to the top corner of the net for her first goal of the season.
 
The Belles finished the day with 15 total shots, landing nine on target as the offense consistently moved the ball well against the Rattlers.
 
Nearing the end of the half, both teams continued to push for the advantage with neither able to find the answer in regulation. In the 86^th minute, Solis nearly found the lead, hitting a shot from 40 yards out before a diving effort from the keeper sent the match to overtime.
 
The Rattlers opened the extra period with a big opportunity, collecting the ball at the edge of the box before hitting an open shot as ASU's Bianca Troost stopped the ball in front of her, recorded her second save in the match.
 
Moments later the Belles had the counterattack going as Katelin Heise sent the ball down the line to McNeme who dribbled to the corner of the goalie's box before sending a low cross, finding the foot of Cindy Rodriguez who slid in to beat the defender and score the game-winning goal. Rodriguez now has two goals on the season while McNeme recorded her first assist.
 
"We made some small adjustments in the second half and those things created more chances for us," added McCorkle. "Gabby was on the ball more and our confidence was much higher. If you're a good team you find a way to win and we did just that, so I was pleased. The more games we win the more people want to come out and beat us, so we need to make sure to always be playing our best and to be consistent."
 
The Belles will return home next week as they host UT Permian Basin on Wednesday, Mar. 24 for senior night at the ASU Soccer Field at 7 p.m.