SAN ANGELO – A 2-0 record for the first time since 2007 has built excitement around and for the Angelo State soccer team, but it hasn't created complacency or overconfidence.
“We still have a lot to prove before we start shouting from the mountain tops,” ASU head coach
Travis McCorkle said.
The Rambelles, who are coming off a 2-1 double overtime win over New Mexico Highlands last Saturday, travel to Durango, Colo. this weekend where they'll play Colorado Mesa and Fort Lewis in their final non-conference games of the regular season. Fort Lewis (2-0) is ranked No. 5 in the nation and first in the South Central region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, while Colorado Mesa (1-0-1) is No. 8 in the region. Angelo State is ranked No. 7 in the regional poll but unranked nationally.
The games against Colorado Mesa (4:30 p.m., Friday) and Fort Lewis (Noon, Sunday) are Angelo State's final non-conference, in-region games and could loom large for postseason consideration at the end of the season. The Rambelles are looking for a stronger performance than last season's trip to Colorado where they dropped games to Adams State (L, 1-2 2OT) and Colorado State-Pueblo (L, 0-2).
“Our mentality has to be completely different than it was last year when we played in Colorado,” McCorkle said. “We saw high grass and built up other excuses before we even started playing. We have to enjoy the experience but with the mindset that we are there to win.”
ASU has a 19-4 shots on goal advantage through the first two games. The strong defensive performance resulted in goalkeeper Danielle Edward's being name the Lone Star Conference's Defender of the Week for the first time in her career. McCorkle is pleased with Edwards' play, but is also quick to acknowledge that the entire team has come together to limit opponents in offensive opportunities.
“Our team defending is really solid right now,” McCorkle said. “I think that we have nine to 11 players who are constantly trying to get the ball back for us when they are on the field. That's their goal. They are making the extra runs and are helping each other with cover. Our communication has been excellent with only one mistake that resulted in a goal for New Mexico Highlands.”
Lauren Carnes, a senior captain, has led the Rambelle offense early on despite not scoring a goal. She assisted with both goals against N.M. Highlands and has put pressure on opponents with five shots. Fellow senior captain
Hanna Horeis leads the Rambelles with seven shots, while ASU has received its four goals from
Katie Squires,
Maggie Schaffer,
Lauren Bateman and
Sierra Anderson. The distribution of shots and goals is a good sign and shows the offensive attack has been active early in the season.
Additional Quote
Travis McCorkle
On the feeling of winning in double overtime last weekend after not winning an overtime game last year in six chances (four ties, two losses):
"For our moral it was great to get that monkey off our back by getting a win in overtime. I think last year we had a feeling that it was going to end in a tie or we were going to lose. That's not the feeling this year. To see that we can come back in a game and then win in overtime were huge for our confidence. I don't know if that win will pay off again this weekend or at the end of the season, but it is good to have that in your back pocket to tell your team to keep believing in themselves throughout a game because they've done it before."
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Colorado Mesa Mavericks (1-0-1)
*first meeting with Angelo State
2012
T, (3-3) West Texas A&M
W, (3-1) Midwestern State
Leaders
Goals: Sarah Pope (2)
Shots: Kelci Crispe, Pope (2)
Assists: Kelci Crispe, McFadden (2)
Saves: Sarah Schnetzler (10) |
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No. 5 Fort Lewis Sky Hawks (2-0)
2-1-4 all-time against Angelo State; (Won 2-0 in 2005)
2012
W, (3-0) Midwestern State
W, (4-2) Texas A&M-Commerce
Leaders
Goals: Sam Weiss (3)
Shots: Megan Striedel (7)
Assists: Megan Striedel (2)
Saves: Amanda Raso (3) |
Angelo State Soccer Gallery
