TEMPE, Ariz. – The sun shined, the seniors were honored and the script was all-but written during Sunday's final home match of the season. The only thing missing was a winning goal, but that was also taken care of in the match's 73rd-minute.
It was forward Christina Edwards who broke the scoreless tie, lofting a shot from the outside corner of the box just over the keeper and into the back of the net. The goal was enough to give Arizona State a 1-0 victory that sent the seniors off in style.
"I am very delighted for our seniors," said head coach Graham Winkworth after the victory. "It was a good all-around offensive and defensive performance. It was never going to be a high-scoring match, but we managed to get the goal we were looking for. I was very proud of how we played defense as a team, I really don't think either goalie needed to make a save for us this afternoon."
Starting in her final home game as a Sun Devil, senior Ashley March kept a clean sheet and recorded a save in 45 minutes of action. The save came at the tail-end of the half, turning away a last-minute attack from Washington to keep the match even.
The Huskies really started to open the game up in the second half, resulting in a few good looks for both sides. The home team got off seven shots in the first 17 minutes coming out of the locker rooms, but it was the eighth attempt from Edwards that ended up being the most memorable.
The sophomore came off the bench in this one, but noted that she's always ready to shoot when it is her time to hit the field. The goal was her third of the season.
"Coach (Winkworth) always talks about being ready to take shots," Edwards said when asked about the goal. "I was just glad I could do it for the seniors."
Winkworth had his team pull back after the go-ahead strike, and the visitors from Seattle were only able to get one shot on goal in the final 45 minutes. Senior keeper Megan Delaney turned away that attempt as well, ensuring a clean sheet from the pair of senior goalies on the afternoon.
Arizona State ultimately outshot Washington 11-10 and finished with a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Winkworth's team now looks ahead to the Territorial Cup and the season finale, which will be played Thursday night in Tucson. But for now, the group will enjoy the result it dreamed of for its group of seniors.
"That's all we ever wanted for this day," said senior defender Madison Stark. "To end on a win is phenomenal. It's just the icing on the cake."
It was forward Christina Edwards who broke the scoreless tie, lofting a shot from the outside corner of the box just over the keeper and into the back of the net. The goal was enough to give Arizona State a 1-0 victory that sent the seniors off in style.
"I am very delighted for our seniors," said head coach Graham Winkworth after the victory. "It was a good all-around offensive and defensive performance. It was never going to be a high-scoring match, but we managed to get the goal we were looking for. I was very proud of how we played defense as a team, I really don't think either goalie needed to make a save for us this afternoon."
Starting in her final home game as a Sun Devil, senior Ashley March kept a clean sheet and recorded a save in 45 minutes of action. The save came at the tail-end of the half, turning away a last-minute attack from Washington to keep the match even.
The Huskies really started to open the game up in the second half, resulting in a few good looks for both sides. The home team got off seven shots in the first 17 minutes coming out of the locker rooms, but it was the eighth attempt from Edwards that ended up being the most memorable.
Have a look at the strike from @christinaed9 that broke our tie here against Washington!#SunDevilPassion pic.twitter.com/ffjAHPnXtW
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) October 29, 2017
The sophomore came off the bench in this one, but noted that she's always ready to shoot when it is her time to hit the field. The goal was her third of the season.
"Coach (Winkworth) always talks about being ready to take shots," Edwards said when asked about the goal. "I was just glad I could do it for the seniors."
Winkworth had his team pull back after the go-ahead strike, and the visitors from Seattle were only able to get one shot on goal in the final 45 minutes. Senior keeper Megan Delaney turned away that attempt as well, ensuring a clean sheet from the pair of senior goalies on the afternoon.
Arizona State ultimately outshot Washington 11-10 and finished with a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Winkworth's team now looks ahead to the Territorial Cup and the season finale, which will be played Thursday night in Tucson. But for now, the group will enjoy the result it dreamed of for its group of seniors.
"That's all we ever wanted for this day," said senior defender Madison Stark. "To end on a win is phenomenal. It's just the icing on the cake."