DENTON, Texas (Nov. 3, 2023) – In their final game of the regular season, the Texas Woman's soccer team fell to Angelo State, 1-0, on Friday afternoon.
 
TWU (11-2-4, 6-2-3) lost for just the second time in 2023, as the Pioneers had not dropped a contest since Sept. 20. ASU (8-6-4, 7-2-3) closed off their season with their fourth win in a row.
 
"It was not the result we wanted today heading into the Lone Star Conference Tournament, but I like how we responded and put Angelo on their heels," TWU Soccer Head Coach Babak Abouzar said. "We didn't give up many chances to Angelo, however we have to do a better job of creating and finishing our opportunities. With that being said, I'm proud of our team making it back into the conference tournament. Our players have put in a lot of work to make it to post season, and I'm excited to see what we will accomplish in the LSC Tournament."
 
At Pioneer Soccer Park on Friday afternoon, the Pioneers also honored Breast Cancer Awareness with their annual Kick for Cure game. TWU donned their pink jerseys and displayed signs detailing who they wore pink for. TWU also celebrated Diabetes Awareness month. TWU senior Emily Rohne was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes her freshman year of college. During halftime of the match, education about Diabetes was provided to the fans to provide awareness.
 
The Rambelles found their go-ahead goal early on in the first half. In the fourth minute, Grace Jordan found the back of the net off an assist by Mariah Griffin. The goal marked just the fourth goal allowed this season by the Pioneers' goalkeeper Amanda Farris.
 
After falling behind early, the Pioneers quickly looked to find the equalizer. Two minutes after the goal from ASU, Celeste Beltran collected the ball at the top of the box and hit a shot, but was fouled in the process, so the shot careened high.
 
At the 17 minute mark, Arianna Arboleda recorded the Pioneers' first shot on goal of the game, but Arboleda's shot was saved by ASU's goalkeeper Amber Lockwood.
 
The Pioneers would record one more shot on frame in the first half of action. In the 30th minute, Giselle Gutierrez snuck past the Rambelles' back line and placed a rocket in the direction of the net, but Lockwood managed to save the shot for ASU.
 
After the halftime break, the Pioneers jumped out trying to find the tying goal, but were unable to find solid opportunities against the Rambelles' back line.
 
In the 74th minute, Alyssa Valdex dribbled across the middle of the field and hit a shot, which ended up going wide right. With one more chance to tie the game, Beltran put a shot on frame for TWU, but it was narrowly saved by Lockwood.
 
Despite conceding the goal, the Pioneers' backline allowed ASU just four shots on frame. Farris ended the game with three total saves.
 
Farris still ranks first in the LSC in goals against average (.242), saves (.923) and shutouts per game (11 and .647 per game).
 
With the regular season now coming to a close today, the Pioneers have clinched a spot in the LSC Tournament for the first time since 2021. Due to the change in schedule because of the weather, the final standings will be decided by points over games. The total of wins (three points) and ties (one point) divided by the number of games played will determine the final ranking for the tournament.
 
With the loss today, the Pioneers currently rank No. 4 in the LSC. The two, three and fourth seed with host the first round of the LSC Tournament at their home site on Monday, Nov. 6. Opponents and times will be announced once all conference games have been played.