Belles climb to No. 3 in NSCAA

Rambelle soccer continues their march towards the finals, keeping an almost flawless record of 13-1- 1 for the season and 7-1 in the Lone Star Conference after beating Midwestern State 4-0.

The Belles are now ranked No. 3 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s national poll and are sixth nationally in goals-against average, second in save percentage and ninth in shutout percentage. Two other South Central Regional teams are ranked in the top 25 of the NSCAA and they include Dallas Baptist at No. 13 and St. Edward’s at No. 22, but the Belles are still in first.

After scoring one goal in the first half and three in the second half against Midwestern, it was the first time in ASU soccer history the team has achieved seven consecutive wins in a season.

No team has scored on the Belles in over a month. Texas A&M-Commerce was the last team to do so on Sept. 25 in the thirteenth minute of the game. Currently they have gone 707 minutes without being scored on.

Forward and midfielder Sierra Anderson scored the first goal of the game within three minutes of regulation. The next three goals were made in the second half of the game and were scored respectively by midfielder Haley Mendel, forward Tiffany Dang and midfielder Elizabeth Rodriguez.

The Belles will face off against Texas Women’s University on Friday, Oct. 30 and Texas A&MCommerce on Sunday, Nov. 1. TWU will be returning to avenge their 0-2 loss against ASU back in September. Pioneers are currently on a three game winning streak and show promise for a competitive match.

“Texas Women’s is going to come back strong but we’re ready for them,” midfielder Haley Mendel said.

Head Coach Travis McCorkle said he has faith that the team will overcome TWU.

“We have a mission of what we’re trying to do with our season, and we want to control our own destiny in the tournament and move forward,” McCorkle said.

Though the team has a lot of confidence, they now have to work hard to beat their upcoming rival.

“Texas Women’s is a very technical team,” midfielder Rodriguez said. “They do have skill, and we’re going to have to be ready to play. We can’t come out light and expect a win this weekend.”

Currently, the Belles have tied one school record and broken another. The team has tied the record for season shutouts at 10, and surpassed the record win streak.

After their record breaking seven consecutive wins, the Belles are now gaining a reputation for being the team to beat.

“Having a target on us doesn’t bother us,” Mendel said. “We’re trying to make our target grow so that other teams know that ASU is the team to beat. That’s our plan and it’s the one we’re sticking with.”