TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State Soccer team got off to a hot start in the 2018 season with an undefeated effort in two games Sunday afternoon at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
"I was pleased with the way we played today," head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We have had just four days of training, while both of the teams we played today have trained for 11. Because of the doubleheader, we split the team in half to challenge ourselves in that sense. We conceded just two goals against a pair of hard working teams so I am pretty happy with our effort today."
On the day, ASU outscored their opposition 4-2, and held a 26-21 advantage in shots through the two matchups. On the defensive end, freshman keeper Amanda Green anchored the Sun Devils in a game one win, while senior Sydney Day posted five saves in ASU's draw in game two.
"We are a different ball club all together this season," Winkworth said of his team's offensive effort. "In the past we have relied on one or two faces to put the ball in the back of the net, but today we had four different goal scorers. We have got loads of offensive weapons. One of our main center-forwards was not available today, so when you add her to the equation along with the two players who are competing in the U20 World Cup, we have got a pretty good club."
The Sun Devils wasted no time getting on the board in the first game of the day, with Natalie Stephens netting the first ASU goal of the year in just the second minute of the Devils' game against New Mexico State.
"That was a really exciting moment for me," Stephens said of her goal. "Usually it takes me a few games to get into the swing of things so to get it done in the first few minutes of the first game was really nice."
The Sun Devils broke through again in the 27th minute, as freshman Hikaru Minami blasted a free kick from just outside of the 18-yard box to give ASU a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.
The offense would not let up, as Naomi Aguilar found the back of the net for ASU's third goal of the half in the 32nd minute, bringing the score to 3-0 heading to the break.
The Aggies would cut into the lead with a goal in the 66th minute, but a strong defensive effort from the Sun Devils would hold the New Mexico State side off the board to close out the 3-1 win.
Following an hour weather delay, the Sun Devils took the field for their second match of the day, this time taking on Colorado College.
After a hard fought first ten minutes of the match, senior Casey Martinez punched in the go-ahead goal for ASU in the 16th minute. For Martinez, Sunday's second match marked her first appearance with the Sun Devils after transferring from Duke in offseason. The game also marked her first full game back on the pitch in over a year, after suffering an injury that caused her to miss the entire 2017 season.
"I was so excited to get back out on the field today," said Martinez who missed the entire 2017 season due to injury. "I was really excited to be back with a new team and see where we were at, especially after the great training sessions we have had. I feel like this team has gotten really close through just the four days we have had as a team. I am really proud of what we have been able to do in such a short time. We have a lot to accomplish, and a lot to look at, but I think we have done well."
Both sides pushed each other from there, but neither team would be able to score another goal before the end of the first half.
Following the halftime break, the Tigers came back out on the offensive, but the ASU defense held the attack at bay. The final goal of the match would come in the last two minutes of the match, when Colorado College took advantage of an ASU penalty, netting the equalizer off a free kick at the top of the 18' box.
The Sun Devils will continue preparations for the 2018 season with their second week of practices starting tomorrow morning. The Devils will be back on the pitch next Saturday with their final exhibition match of the 2018 preseason, welcoming Beijing Normal University to Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Kickoff in Saturday's match is scheduled for 11 a.m. with the game slated to be televised by the Pac-12 Network.
"I was pleased with the way we played today," head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We have had just four days of training, while both of the teams we played today have trained for 11. Because of the doubleheader, we split the team in half to challenge ourselves in that sense. We conceded just two goals against a pair of hard working teams so I am pretty happy with our effort today."
On the day, ASU outscored their opposition 4-2, and held a 26-21 advantage in shots through the two matchups. On the defensive end, freshman keeper Amanda Green anchored the Sun Devils in a game one win, while senior Sydney Day posted five saves in ASU's draw in game two.
"We are a different ball club all together this season," Winkworth said of his team's offensive effort. "In the past we have relied on one or two faces to put the ball in the back of the net, but today we had four different goal scorers. We have got loads of offensive weapons. One of our main center-forwards was not available today, so when you add her to the equation along with the two players who are competing in the U20 World Cup, we have got a pretty good club."
The Sun Devils wasted no time getting on the board in the first game of the day, with Natalie Stephens netting the first ASU goal of the year in just the second minute of the Devils' game against New Mexico State.
"That was a really exciting moment for me," Stephens said of her goal. "Usually it takes me a few games to get into the swing of things so to get it done in the first few minutes of the first game was really nice."
The Sun Devils broke through again in the 27th minute, as freshman Hikaru Minami blasted a free kick from just outside of the 18-yard box to give ASU a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.
The offense would not let up, as Naomi Aguilar found the back of the net for ASU's third goal of the half in the 32nd minute, bringing the score to 3-0 heading to the break.
The Aggies would cut into the lead with a goal in the 66th minute, but a strong defensive effort from the Sun Devils would hold the New Mexico State side off the board to close out the 3-1 win.
Following an hour weather delay, the Sun Devils took the field for their second match of the day, this time taking on Colorado College.
After a hard fought first ten minutes of the match, senior Casey Martinez punched in the go-ahead goal for ASU in the 16th minute. For Martinez, Sunday's second match marked her first appearance with the Sun Devils after transferring from Duke in offseason. The game also marked her first full game back on the pitch in over a year, after suffering an injury that caused her to miss the entire 2017 season.
"I was so excited to get back out on the field today," said Martinez who missed the entire 2017 season due to injury. "I was really excited to be back with a new team and see where we were at, especially after the great training sessions we have had. I feel like this team has gotten really close through just the four days we have had as a team. I am really proud of what we have been able to do in such a short time. We have a lot to accomplish, and a lot to look at, but I think we have done well."
Both sides pushed each other from there, but neither team would be able to score another goal before the end of the first half.
Following the halftime break, the Tigers came back out on the offensive, but the ASU defense held the attack at bay. The final goal of the match would come in the last two minutes of the match, when Colorado College took advantage of an ASU penalty, netting the equalizer off a free kick at the top of the 18' box.
The Sun Devils will continue preparations for the 2018 season with their second week of practices starting tomorrow morning. The Devils will be back on the pitch next Saturday with their final exhibition match of the 2018 preseason, welcoming Beijing Normal University to Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Kickoff in Saturday's match is scheduled for 11 a.m. with the game slated to be televised by the Pac-12 Network.