TEMPE, Ariz. – Cali Farquharson’s goal on a penalty kick in the 25th minute proved to be enough for the Arizona State women’s soccer team on Sunday as the Sun Devils captured their third straight win with a 1-0 decision over Oregon on Senior Day.
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Chandler Morris, one of 11 seniors honored before the game, made seven saves for the Sun Devils (7-7-1, 3-4-1 Pac-12), who played with 10 players on the field the last 43-plus minutes of the game after senior midfielder Lucy Lara was issued a red card.
“I really like the effort that we had in the second half when we were down a player, and trying to hold a lead,” ASU head coach Kevin Boyd said. “The calls didn’t seem to be coming our way so we had to do what we could to keep them out of our net.”
The only goal of the game was set up when Farquharson sent a perfect pass to redshirt senior midfielder MacKenzie Semerad, who took the pass in stride at the top of the 18. Semerad was making her way towards goal when a Duck defender who was trailing the play tripped her up. A foul was called, a successful penalty kick by Farquharson followed and just like that the Sun Devils were up 1-0.
Farquharson’s 40th career goal was her first since returning from a hamstring injury that caused her to missed 4.5 games after she scored five goals in ASU’s first six games of the season. Boyd said this weekend’s contests were the first in which she has appeared at full strength since returning from the injury on Oct. 9.
“Last Thursday, she told me she finally felt she was back in her routine and we got her back into full sprints,” Boyd said. “She looks like she is back now.”
The Sun Devils, who outshot the Ducks 11-1 in the first half, nearly extended their lead on a chip shot from outside the box by sophomore defender Madison Stark, but the ball just missed its target as it bounced off the crossbar.
The two teams were just getting settled in the second half when the referee stopped play to issue a red card on Lara. Only 80 seconds had elapsed in the half meaning the Sun Devils would have to play down a player for the last 43:40 of regulation.
Having the advantage in numbers the Ducks pressed their attack for the balance of the contest. Although the Sun Devils outshout Oregon 14-7 in the game, it was the Ducks (4-12, 1-7) who had a 6-3 advantage in the second half. With the luxury of having a one-goal lead, however, the Sun Devils did not have to be as concerned with offense which enabled them to put all of their focus on keeping Oregon from knotting the score.
“If we could get in their half and hold (the ball) while we are down a player then great,” Boyd explained. “But the we were up (by a goal) and so we were not going to venture too far forward because they have more players pushing up. When you are down a player you dump balls deep.”
Despite ASU’s best efforts, the Ducks were still able to take advantage of the situation, as they were able to create a couple dangerous chances. Still, they were not able to get anything past Morris. After breaking the school’s record for career shutouts on Friday, Morris came up with several great saves on Sunday, including a one-handed grab that came moments after she had to go to the ground to breakup a potential shot inside the six-yard box.
.@ASUSoccer prevailed thanks to amazing play from Chandler Morris in goal. She gets our #12Best Moment of the Match! https://t.co/VpYVQGIjso
— Pac-12 Networks (@Pac12Networks) October 25, 2015
The Devils were able to hold on to the lead enabling them to send out the senior class – McKeznie Berryhill, Farquharson, Tommi Goodman, Whitney Kanavel, Lara, Alyssa Martinez, Morris, Rachel Ometer, Christina Rebata, Sermerad and Sara Tosti – with a win.
The Sun Devils will play their final three regular season games on the road beginning on Friday night (7 p.m. MT/6 p.m. PT) when they face Utah in Salt Lake City.