Oct. 12, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State women's soccer team opened the Pac-10 season with a 3-0 victory over Washington on Friday at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. The Sun Devils are now 1-0 in Pac-10 play and 7-5-0 overall. The Huskies drop to 0-1 in the Pac-10 and 3-8-0 on the season.
"We are happy with the win," said ASU head coach Kevin Boyd. "I feel like we have a done a lot this year to earn wins like that. I told the team at halftime that I did not think we were playing great soccer, but we were up 2-0. We have been due for a couple of karma goals because of our effort. The first one we got was a lucky goal and we haven't seen that much and if it decides to come in the Pac-10 then I am thrilled by it."
The Sun Devils got it going early in the first half as senior Lauren Niblett dropped the ball back to sophomore defender Rachel Newell for a direct shot at the Washington goal and an early 1-0 lead. The goal was the first of Newell's career at ASU. The assist was the first for Niblett this season.
ASU continued the scoring in the first half on a free kick taken by junior Kylla Sjoman. Sjoman's kick found freshman Jessie Richardson who was able to redirect the ball and find the back of the net for the first collegiate goal of her career.
"Anytime you get your goal you are thrilled," explained Boyd. "I think Rachel has been having a very good year. She went from not playing much to suddenly starting and she has been a mainstay on the backline. Jessie should have had a couple goals already and couldn't quite find a way to stick it in the net and so for her to get a goal is great."
Coming out of the half with a 2-0 lead, the Sun Devils were able to keep the same intensity that they had in the first 45 minutes of play. ASU completed the scoring off a corner kick taken by Sjoman. Her ball found sophomore Carly Kallas who was able to head the ball to senior Courtney Crane who then headed the ball into the net for the score. The goal marked the fourth for Crane this season and the 15th for her career. Sjoman and Kallas were both credited with the assist.
Sophomore goalkeeper Briana Silvestri recorded six saves in the win for the Sun Devils, who recorded their sixth shutout of the season..
Sjoman's two assists in the match give her five so far this season, which is currently a team high; Sjoman also led the team last season with five assists.
The Sun Devils look to remain perfect in Pac-10 play as they host the Washington State Cougars on Sunday at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Game time is set for 1 p.m.