SAN ANGELO – An offensive onslaught of four first-half goals from the Belles saw them claim victory in their opening match of the 2021 season, downing Colorado Christian by a score of 5-1.
Coming off a spring season that saw the Belles double their opponents' shot attempts on average, the third-ranked team in the country one-upped themselves, outshooting the Cougars 15-5, with 10 of the Belles shots coming on target.
"Every team wants to get that first win, so it was a good start and a good first half, and it was great to see some new players score some goals," said head coach Travis McCorkle. "But there are little things we definitely need to work on."
Five different Belles got their name on the scoresheet, with four different players also adding assists.
"It's good to spread the wealth around and get everyone involved, if you're too one-dimensional then it's just too easy for the other team to stop," said McCorkle.
The Belles applied a lot of pressure early, getting the breakthrough goal from Kylie Hampton in the fifth minute, scoring a header off an Avery McNeme assist from a corner kick, the second consecutive corner for the Belles in the early stages of the match.
It took only ten minutes for the Belles to double their lead through Katelin Heise' first collegiate goal, courtesy of a Valerie Solis assist, one of two the midfielder recorded on the night.
The visiting Cougars pulled a goal back against the run of play two minutes later; however, it only took the Belles 43 seconds to respond, doing so through Madison Stokes, the third score of her Belle career.
Cindy Rodriguez capped the first-half scoring with an effort from outside of the box following a corner kick, the fifth of seven corner kicks the Belles earned during the first half.
Neleh Coleman, who assisted Rodriguez's goal in the first half, was on the scoring end of the lone goal of the second half, being assisted by Madison Maxey.
The Belles now turn their attention to reigning RMAC champions Colorado State – Pueblo, who are coming off a season-opening loss to Eastern New Mexico.
