SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State soccer team knows a physical test awaits it on Friday at Texas A&M-Commerce and that matching the Lions in their tough approach to the game is the key to getting the result the Rambelles want.

ASU (3-2-1, 1-0-1 Lone Star Conference) plays the Lions (2-3-0, 1-1-0 LSC) at 7:30 p.m. at the A&M-Commerce Soccer Field on Friday looking to continue strong play it displayed last weekend in a tie against Midwestern State and a win over Abilene Christian. TAMU-Commerce and ASU played three times last season with the Lions winning both regular season games and knocking the Rambelles from the LSC tournament in penalty kicks.

“They are very physical and like to do direct balls all the time,” said Kara Edwards (Bastrop), who was named the LSC Defender of the Week on Wednesday. “Our challenge is going to be staying physical with them and trying to get our numbers up top and scoring.”

“It's going to be a very physical game with both teams coming out and playing their hardest because of the past we've had with each other,” ASU junior Maggie Schaffer (New Braunfels) added.

Katie Squires (Hurst) leads Angelo State this season with two goals, including the game-winner last Sunday in the Rambelles' 1-0 win over Abilene Christian. Squires has a .250 shooting percentage after six games, while Ashley Exford (Fort Worth), Schaffer, Sierra Anderson (Wichita Falls) and Lauren Bateman (San Angelo) each have one goal this season.

Despite not scoring a goal this season, Hanna Horeis (San Angelo) has led the offensive attack with 21 shots. The senior captain is fourth in the conference in shots and had the assists on Squires' game-winner against ACU. Horeis found success last season against the Lions, scoring a goal in both regular season games and scoring in penalty kicks at the conference tournament.

ASU goalkeeper Danielle Edwards (San Angelo) has played in all 579:19 minutes this season and has 18 saves. The senior has earned two shutouts and is coming off a four-save effort in the win over ACU. Edwards, who joined the Rambelles at midseason last year, saw her first game action of her career at Commerce.

The Lions are coming off a 1-0 loss at Eastern New Mexico after earning a 2-1 win at West Texas A&M. TAMU-Commerce, which is led by Neil Piper who is in his 14^th season as the team's head coach, are averaging 1.20 goals per game and are allowing 1.60. Angelo State leads the conference with a 1.17 goals allowed percentage while Commerce is tied for third in that category.

Brionna Minde, who had three goals last season against ASU in the Lions' home win, has scored two goals this season and leads the team with three assists. Anitra Wright leads the team with two goals along with Minde, while goalkeeper Tracey Rogers has recorded one shutout and 21 saves.

Angelo State is 4-13-3 all-time against Texas A&M-Commerce with its last win coming in an overtime game in 2010.

“They are a team that lead the conference in their physical style of play,” ASU head coach Travis McCorkle said. “They are an extremely aggressive team and it challenges us to be in the right frame of mind to deal with that. With Commerce, the main issue becomes the physicality. They are very good at what they do but are a completely different kind of team than we have seen so far this season.”

The Rambelles will continue their four-game road trip with a 2 p.m. game at Texas Woman's on Sunday before travelling to play at West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico next weekend.

Angelo State Rambelles 3-2-1, 1-0-1 LSC Leaders Goals: Katie Squires (2) Assists: Lauren Carnes (2) Points: Katie Squires (4) Shots: Hanna Horeis (21) Saves: Danielle Edwards (18)

 

Texas A&M-Commerce Lions 2-3-0, 1-1-0 LSC Leaders Goals: Brionna Minde (2), Anitra Wright (2) Assists: Brionna Minde (3) Points: Brionna Minde (7) Shots: Brionna Minde (19) Saves: Tracey Rogers (21)