SAN ANGELO - The Angelo State soccer team fell just short of winning the program's first LSC Postseason Tournament, losing 1-0 to West Texas A&M in the tournament final.
The Belles (13-4-1) outshot the Lady Buffs 15-14 in the game and had seven shots on goal to just five for WT were unable to find the back of the net in the loss.
Neither team was able to score in the first half, collecting almost an even number of shots. Cassandra Moosburger had the first chance for the Belles eight minutes into the game, taking a through ball and pushing it by the Lady Buff goalkeeper, but her shot was just wide.
Moosburger had was a part of another chance late in the opening period as ASU almost broke the scoreless tie. The chance was started by freshman Avery McNeme, who beat her defender on the right side of the goal and fired a shot on goal.
WT goalkeeper Courtney Dippel stopped the shot, but the rebound came to Moosburger, who shot again and had it just knocked wide by a WT defender.
Angelo State goalkeeper Sammy Cude and the Belle defense kept the Belles in the match by stopping the Lady Buffs from scoring as well in the first half. Callie Smith and Marissa Brezgiel led the back line, playing all 90 minutes, and were helped by Meagan Denn, Kylie Deel, Molly Warren and Kyah Carlsen. Cude had four saves in the match, including three in the first half.
The Belles and Lady Buffs went into the break tied at 0-0.
The scoreless tie would hold for another 25 minutes in the second half as well, before West Texas A&M finally broke through, scoring on a corner kick in the 74th minute.
ASU created several more chances to tie the game up in the final 16 minutes, including two by Analise Watson, but could not capitalize. Watson led the team with her three shots.
Other Belles to record shots on goal in the game included Smith, who had two, Trenadey Scott and Tiffany Dang.
Three Angelo State players were named to the All-Tournament team, including Watson, McNeme and Smith.
The Belles will now wait to see where they are ranked in the NCAA South Central Region. The selection show for the postseason tournament will be broadcast on the NCAA website at 5 p.m. CST Monday night.
