SAN ANGELO, Texas – The 10^th-ranked Angelo State women's soccer team put together a dominating performance on Senior Night, defeating UT Permian Basin 6-0 on Wednesday at the ASU Soccer Field.
 
The Belles remain undefeated on the season, improving to 6-0-0 overall and 4-0-0 in Lone Star Conference play while UTPB moved to 0-6-1 overall.
 
Before the game, ASU honored five seniors in Bianca Troost, Emily Keoughan, Marissa Brezgiel, Amber Norris, and Meagan Denn.
 
"Amber, Marissa, and Meagan have been outstanding and have contributed so much to our program and that's something that I am most proud of," said Head Coach Travis McCorkle. "It's not just about stats or wins, they have been a part of great teams but they go above that. They came into to a community they didn't know and they have given so much back and are always looking to give the extra effort."
 
"Emily has really grown as a player, she has become more sophisticated with how she plays and it's great to see," added McCorkle. "It was really exciting to see Bianca get to play, we didn't know if she was going to able to, but she came in and help us in more ways than one. These seniors have contributed a lot to get the program to where it is, and the rest of the team has been given a lot of direction because of these seniors."
 
The Belles continued to prove they are one of the most consistent teams in the league, scoring early and after against the Falcons. Gabby Villagrand started things off, collecting a pass from Marissa Berry before sending it into the net in the eighth minute to go up 1-0.
 
After nearly 20 minutes of back and forth from both teams, the Belles tallied another goal as Kiah Benham scored her first goal of the season, scoring off a pass from Valerie Solis. A few minutes later, Cindy Rodriguez collected a deflection from UTPB's goalkeeper and fired a shot to give ASU a 3-0 lead.
 
The Belles finished with 14 overall shots, landing six on target while the defense held the Falcons in check, allowing only two shots in the entire game.
 
"One thing is in the past we have had some identity issues when we are really good and we play someone lower in the standings, and we haven't responded well but tonight I think our mindset was we wanted to perform in front of our crowd and on senior night and played the way we know we can."
 
Troost and Kira Miller combined for a shutout in goal for the Belles, playing 62 and 28 minutes respectively. The Belles have now tallied four shutouts this season and have outscored their opponents 16-2.
 
Avery McNeme got things started in the second half, making a run down the side of the box before taking a pass from Benham and hitting a shot to the upper right corner of the net.
 
Angelo State continued to press the ball, moving the ball up the field as Villagrand tallied her second goal of the game after Brezgiel sent a cross into the box for her second assist on the season.
 
"I am really happy with the result, I see Gabby growing and she can cause problems if she continues to move off the ball, are if crosses are sent in she can become dangerous. Really happy with the response from our girls in the second half, despite the lead they didn't put in to cruise control and kept on playing."
 
Madison Maxey also scored her first goal of the season, taking a pass from Katie Detmer in the 70^th minute for the final goal of the night.
 
With tonight's victory, the Belles clinch first place in their division for the Lone Star Conference Tournament and will receive a first-round bye. Aside from Texas A&M-Commerce, who are 2-0-0 on the season, the Belles are the only other team with a perfect record in the Lone Star Conference.
 
The Belles will finish the regular season on the road next week as the Belles travel to Texas A&M International on Wednesday, Mar. 31.