Oct. 25, 2012
Game Highlights (from Pac-12 Networks)
TEMPE, Ariz. - Devin Marshall tied her single-game career high with two goals as the Arizona State women's soccer team won its second straight game, defeating Utah 4-1 on Thursday night.
The Sun Devils, who had a season-high eight upperclassmen in the starting lineup, continued to build on their résumé for postseason play as they improved to 8-8-2 (4-4-1 Pac-12).
ASU's four goals on Thursday represented the 13th time since 2007 (a span a 117 games) that it has scored four or more goals in a contest,
"We don't often score four goals, but I can tell you that we were very focused on what we needed to do," ASU head coach Kevin Boyd said. "We went with a little more experience figuring [the four seniors] would be the most motivated [with postseason hopes on the line] and it proved to be true today. They did a great job. That doesn't take anything away from our freshmen, who have helped get us to this point. I'm very happy with what the squad did tonight."
The four goals were the most given up by Utah (8-7-2, 3-6 Pac-12) this season as the Utes came into Thursday's game ranked third in the Pac-12 in goals allowed per game (0.94).
"They are a good defensive unit, but I think we put their backline under a lot of physical pressure," Boyd said. "I thought our closing and intensity in the box was really good."
The Sun Devils scored the first goal of the game in the eighth minute when Marshall took a pass from teammate Courtney Tinnin, beat two Utah defenders and flicked the ball into the net to give ASU the early advantage.
ASU increased its lead to 2-0 in the 59th minute when Holland Crook scored her third goal of the season on a penalty kick. Crook set up the PK after being fouled in the box.
Utah cut the Sun Devils' lead to 2-1 when Kaycee Buckley scored on a penalty kick in the 67th minute.
ASU would once again extend out to a two-goal lead when Tommi Goodman scored her second goal of the season in the 75th minute. Goodman's goal came on a perfectly-placed volley into the far post.
Marshall would put the game on ice when she scored her second goal of the game in the 83rd minute to give ASU a 4-1 lead. The goal was the product of an outstanding individual effort by Marshall as she grazed a free kick by Sierra Joseph with her head, redirecting the ball out of the reach of Utah goalkeeper Lindsey Luke.
With her two goals on Thursday night Marshall, who was questionable to even play on Thursday after being forced to leave last Sunday's game at Oregon due to injury, now has 15 career goals, tying her for 10th place on ASU's all-time list. Marshall also leads the Sun Devils in goals this season (8) despite being forced to miss five-plus games due to injury.
"[Devin] goes all out every moment of the game and she is talented and smart," Boyd said. "A player with those three traits is going to impact the game on a regular basis and that's what she does. If we would have had her healthy for the entire season there is no telling where we'd be right now."
The Sun Devils return to action on Sunday when they host Colorado at 4 p.m. Sunday's game can be seen live on Pac-12 Networks.