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Angelo State turns back Zias 1-0

PORTALES — Brandie DeBacker scored with less than 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation on Sunday, and Angelo State edged Eastern New Mexico University 1-0 in a Lone Star Conference women’s soccer match at the ENMU pitch.

With the loss, in their home finale, the Zias (8-9, 3-6 LSC) were all but officially eliminated from a top-six finish required to make the conference tournament which is scheduled for Nov. 5-7 at the home of the LSC champion.

DeBacker took a crossing pass from the left fromJennifer Bukowski and bounced a shot off a diving ENMU defender and into the net with 6:28 left on the clock, spoiling a strong defensive effort by the Zias.

ENMU nearly tied the game less than 90 seconds later when the ball bounced into the net off a corner kick by the Zias’ Mackenzie Morris, but ENMU was called for a handball on the play to nullify the goal.

Each team had seven shots in the match, with the Rambelles (9-8, 3-6), coached by former ENMU coach Travis McCorkle, posted a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal. ENMU had a 4-0 margin in corner kicks.

ENMU sophomore goalkeeper Sierra Cardenas had three saves, while Angelo junior Melanie Peterson notched two saves in posting her fourth shutout of the year.

The Zias, still with a chance for a winning record and the second 10-win campaign in the program’s seven-year history, wrap up the season with LSC road games against East Central on Friday and Northeastern State on Sunday.