SAN ANGELO – Caitlyn Conaway understands the importance of Angelo State's home opener against the University of Texas-Permian Basin despite it only being her second match as a member of the Rambelles.

“We can't start the season 0-2,” said Conaway, a freshmen defender from Kennedale. “We need to send everyone a message that we are here to win.”

The Rambelles enter the 4 p.m. match at the ASU Soccer Field with a 0-1 record after falling 2-1 to the No. 6-ranked St. Edward's University Hilltoppers on Friday in Austin. The Rambelles' offensive production was limited in the loss and must improve to earn a win against UTPB.

“If the passes were a little more firm or at the right angle, we would have gotten more shots,” ASU head coach Travis McCorkle said. “There was some uncertainty that caused some problems with our offense against a good defensive team in St. Edward's. It was the first game and we showed some nerves.”

The Falcons come into San Angelo with a 1-1 record after dropping their season opener, 7-0, to West Texas A&M before beating Eastern New Mexico 1-0 on Sunday.

Brandie DeBacker scored the Rambelles' lone goal against St. Edward's coming on an assist from freshman goalkeeper, Morgan Harrison. Playing in her first collegiate match after starter Taylor Cardinal went down with an injury 10 minutes into the contest, Harrison stepped in and recorded two saves for the Rambelles. Harrison will be in goal again on Tuesday against the Falcons.

“I hope to prove myself to the team and the coaches,” she said. “I'm confident in my ability to do a good job.”

“She should have a lot of confidence right now,” McCorkle said of Harrison. “She came in against the No. 6 ranked team and played great. We gave up an early goal, but she bounced right back and played great. She made good, quality saves throughout the game. Her confidence is only going to grow as she gets more playing time.”

ASU is 0-2 against UTPB in the past two seasons after boasting a 5-0-2 all-time record against the Odessa university in their first seven contests. Last season the Falcons won 2-1 over the Rambelles.

“Our games against them have been a struggle,” McCorkle said. “We have played good games against them with a lot of chances, but did not score. We have to finish those chances against them in order to win. We have to get goals.”

The Rambelles will return to the road this weekend to play at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at Colorado State University-Pueblo and at noon on Sunday against Adams State on the CSU-Pueblo campus. The road trip will conclude the ASU non-conference schedule.

“Our remaining three non-conference games are huge for us,” McCorkle said. “We need to win these games to help us advance to the postseason again. It will help us tremendously to get results now and take some pressure off at the end of the season.”


Coaches and Player Quotes

Head coach Travis McCorkle

On the Rambelles' limited offensive production in their season opener:
If the passes were a little more firm or at the right angle, we would have gotten more shots. There was some uncertainty that caused some problems with our offense against a good defensive team in St. Edward's. It was the first game and we showed some nerves.

On the difference between Friday's match on Tuesday's:
We should be more settled now and be ready to play UTPB. We have to put them under pressure throughout the game and attack the goal.

On freshman goalkeeper Morgan Harrison:
She should have a lot of confidence right now. She came in against the No. 6 ranked team and played great. We gave up and early goal, but she bounced right back and played great. She made good, quality saves throughout the game. Her confidence is only going to grow as she gets more playing time.

On the final three non-conference matches that will be played this week:
Our remaining three non-conference games are huge for us. We need to win these games to help us advance to the postseason again. It will help us tremendously to get results now and take some pressure off at the end of the season.

On playing the University of Texas-Permian Basin:
Our games against them have been a struggle. We have played good games against them with a lot of chances, but did not score. We have to finish those chances against them in order to win. We have to get goals.

On wanting to see students come out to support the ASU soccer team:
I want to see a ton of fans. They had a three day weekend. They should be back rested and caught up on homework. Hopefully they'll come out and support their athletic teams. We want and need their support.


Caitlyn Conaway: Freshman defender from Birdville High

On what she expects from the Rambelles on Tuesday:
I'm really hoping we can get a win and a shut out. I think we need that since we didn't do what we needed to on Friday. We can't start the season 0-2. We need to send everyone a message that we are here to win.


Morgan Harrison: Freshman goalkeeper from Grapevine High
On stepping into the starting goalkeeper position:
I hope to prove myself to the team and the coaches. I'm confident in my ability to do a good job.

On what the Rambelles' need to focus on to win against UTPB:
We need more communication and not having as many defensive breakdowns. I think our confidence is building, but it's not where it needs to be right now.