COLORADO SPRINGS - The Angelo State soccer team had its 2017 season come to an end Saturday, losing 1-0 to West Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA Postseason Tournament.
The Belles finished the season 13-5-1 after winning the program's third Lone Star Conference Championship and earning the No. 3 seed in the South Central Region.
"It was another hard-fought match against West Texas A&M," Angelo State Head Soccer Coach Travis McCorkle said. "They passed the ball really well and gave us a hard time getting forward, but we had some good chances still. It was a tough game."
The two teams that had already faced off three times this season were in a scoreless stalemate for the majority of the match, as the ASU defense held WT at bay.
Goalkeeper Sammy Cude led the way, making eight saves in the match which was her third most in a single game this season.
Making up the back line for the Belles was senior captain Callie Smith, freshmen Marissa Brezgiel and Meagan Denn, Molly Warren, Kylie Deel and Kyah Carlsen.
Both teams were scoreless through the entire first half, although the Belles created several chances.
Mackenzie Broderick had the very first scoring opportunity just three minutes into the game, firing in a shot that hit the post.
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Cassandra Moosburger and Loni Byers also came close to breaking the tie in the opening period, forcing the WT goalkeeper to make a pair of saves, but the defensive struggle continued into the break.
Cude held off the Lady Buffs in a surge early in the second half, while Smith recorded another ASU shot on goal that was saved. The tie was finally broken after a Cude stopped a pair of shots, but WT kept the ball in the penalty area and finally put it in the net in the 72nd minute.
Angelo State fought to tie the game back up as Morgan Sibson had a shot on goal and Ally Warren pulled a shot just wide left of the goal.
Avery McNeme and Mackenzie Broderick also created scoring chances, but the Buffs were able to hold off the Belle attack and ASU's season was cut short with the loss.
