SAN ANGELO, Texas – The 12^th-ranked Angelo State women's soccer team advanced the 2021 Spring Lone Star Conference Championship in dramatic fashion, defeating St. Edward's in the semifinal round 1-0 in overtime at the ASU Soccer Field.
 
Just under five minutes into the overtime period, the Belles drew a foul midway through SEU's territory. Cindy Rodriguez sent the free-kick into the box as Gabby Villagrand jumped and headed the ball into the upper right corner of the goal, just out of reach of the Hilltoppers' keeper to advance in the tournament.
 
The Belles continue their undefeated season, improving to 9-0-0 overall on the year. Seven of their nine wins have been shutouts, allowing only two goals all season and zero during the postseason.
 
"SEU did a great job, Nick is a very good coach he changed their system a few weeks ago and they came in and did a really good job," said Head Coach Travis McCorkle. "We had two plans to counter it, we talked about matching up with them and seeing what happens, and fortunately the girls put in a heck of an effort for the overtime win."
 
The Hilltoppers controlled momentum early, keeping the ball in ASU's territory but couldn't find the open shots as the Belles' defense continued to disrupt the flow as they've done all season.
 
At the 25^th minute, the Belles had an early opportunity as Avery McNeme sent a shot to the bottom right corner of the goal, narrowly hitting the hands of SEU's goalkeeper who earned the save.
 
Both teams remained even through the first half, as the Hilltoppers finished with three shot attempts while the Belles notched four in the period.
 
The Belles found a few more opportunities in the second half but couldn't quite get the ball into the net. Bianca Troost collected a through ball, beating the last defender to the ball and sent a shot into the upper middle of the goal as SEU tallied another save.
 
With time winding down, ASU nearly ended the game in regulation, hitting three straight shots in the 87^th minute of play before the Hilltoppers' keeper collected her fifth save of the match to send it to overtime.
 
The Belles tallied two shots in the overtime period while holding the ball for nearly the entire five minutes of play before drawing the foul that led to the game-winner from Villagrand to advance to the LSC Championship round.
 
"We had the right person sending the ball in and it was a heck of a job going up to get that ball and make the finish from Gabby," added McCorkle. "Rest is going to the biggest thing for us now, in a game being as tight as this we didn't get as many players in tonight as we normally do so we'll prepare everyone to get some minutes next week and might have to make a change or two."

ASU keeper Kira Miller recorded her third straight clean sheet, recording two saves in the match. She has not allowed a goal in over 300 minutes in goal this season.
 
Angelo State will face off against DBU for the 2021 LSC Spring Championship next week.