Eugene, Oregon -- The Arizona State soccer team, powered by a two-goal effort from Marleen Schimmer, secured a hard-fought, 2-1, win in double overtime against Oregon Thursday evening at Pape' Field.
"There are so many reasons why this is such a huge win for our program," head coach Graham Winkworth said. "First, coming to Eugene and playing on the turf field is very difficult. Oregon is a very talented and well coached team. They have been absolutely phenomenal at home over the last few years. This is a difficult place to come and get a result. To come out with a win after being down at halftime is another level. I am so proud of the team's character. Once again they showed what they are capable of in the later stages of matches."
The Sun Devil character was on full display as an eager Oregon offense jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal scored in the just the third minute of play.
Following a great save by ASU keeper Nikki Panas, Emma Eddy corralled the ball of the deflection and buried it in the back of the net for the game's first score.
"All credit to Oregon," Winkworth said of the early strike by the home team. "They came out firing on all cylinders and were the better team in the first half of the game. Oregon was excellent in that first half."
The two teams would battle for the remaining minutes of the half, with neither side able to create enough separation to net another goal.
After the break, momentum seemed to swing in favor of ASU as the Sun Devils poured numbers forward creating six scoring chances in the first 15-minutes of the second half. Action would begin with a shot attempt by senior forward Casey Martinez that would be sent out by the Oregon defense leading to the first of three ASU corner kicks in the second half.
Finally, in the 68th- minute of the match, Schimmer was able to break through to tie the game at one-all. The freshman weaved her way through the Oregon back-line and buried a shot in the back of the net for her third goal of the season.
"I thought in the second half we showed a lot of character," Winkworth said of the Sun Devil's fight in the second half. "We made a few changes, just a few tweaks in the way we were playing, and the ladies responded with a phenomenal effort. We were able to score a great goal to even the score."
The two teams would trade jabs through the final 22 minutes of the match, but neither team was able to come up with the go-ahead goal, sending the match to overtime.
In the first overtime period, Oregon challenged the ASU defense, sending in two quality looks and earning a corner kick. However, the Sun Devils were up for the task. With neither team able to score, ASU headed to the second overtime period for just the second time this season.
"As we were heading to the second overtime period, I started thinking that a tie would be a very nice result," Winkworth said. "I guess Schimmy (Marleen Schimmer) didn't feel that way."
With the game hanging in the balance, Schimmer would see her first look at goal in the period just two minutes in. She turned and fired in what would have been the game winner, but it would sail just wide.
In the 110th- minute, things would be different. Schimmer found herself on the attack with just seconds remaining. The speedy midfielder worked herself into the 18'- box, and turned loose on a shot that tucked in the far post to give the Sun Devils a 2-1 victory.
Schimmer's second goal also marked the second straight outing for ASU in which a freshman has carded a brace. Last week, Nicole Douglas scored twice to get Arizona State past Washington, 2-1.
"We responded very well after the first half," Winkworth added. "We created a lot of chances in the second half, and then in overtime it was really back and forth. There were a lot of tired legs out there, but Schimmy was able to find the energy in the last 20 seconds. She stayed very composed and blasted it in the back of the net. I couldn't be prouder. I am really happy with the ladies and this was a huge win."
The win in Eugene marked the first win over Oregon since the 2015 season, and first road victory over the Ducks since 2013. The win also improved ASU to 9-5-1 on the season, including a 4-3-1 mark in Pac-12 play. The nine wins in the most for ASU since the 2014 season saw the Devils pick up 12 wins en route to an NCAA Second Round appearance.
ASU will be back in action on Sunday with yet another road matchup, this time in Corvallis against Oregon State. The match will serve as yet another important test for the team, who has their eyes set on the program's eighth NCAA postseason berth.
"We will train and prepare here over the next couple of days," Winkworth said of the upcoming match. "We will certainly not over do it. I think the key for us is not just to prepare on the pitch, we have got to prepare mentally the next two days. We know that it will be important to get a result on Sunday. The feeling right now is phenomenal and we don't want that to change. We have got great character on this team. In the words of coach Herm Edwards, we need to stay humble and hungry."
Fans can stay up to date with all the action from the remainder of the 2018 regular season by following @SunDevilSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
"There are so many reasons why this is such a huge win for our program," head coach Graham Winkworth said. "First, coming to Eugene and playing on the turf field is very difficult. Oregon is a very talented and well coached team. They have been absolutely phenomenal at home over the last few years. This is a difficult place to come and get a result. To come out with a win after being down at halftime is another level. I am so proud of the team's character. Once again they showed what they are capable of in the later stages of matches."
The Sun Devil character was on full display as an eager Oregon offense jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal scored in the just the third minute of play.
Following a great save by ASU keeper Nikki Panas, Emma Eddy corralled the ball of the deflection and buried it in the back of the net for the game's first score.
"All credit to Oregon," Winkworth said of the early strike by the home team. "They came out firing on all cylinders and were the better team in the first half of the game. Oregon was excellent in that first half."
The two teams would battle for the remaining minutes of the half, with neither side able to create enough separation to net another goal.
After the break, momentum seemed to swing in favor of ASU as the Sun Devils poured numbers forward creating six scoring chances in the first 15-minutes of the second half. Action would begin with a shot attempt by senior forward Casey Martinez that would be sent out by the Oregon defense leading to the first of three ASU corner kicks in the second half.
Finally, in the 68th- minute of the match, Schimmer was able to break through to tie the game at one-all. The freshman weaved her way through the Oregon back-line and buried a shot in the back of the net for her third goal of the season.
"I thought in the second half we showed a lot of character," Winkworth said of the Sun Devil's fight in the second half. "We made a few changes, just a few tweaks in the way we were playing, and the ladies responded with a phenomenal effort. We were able to score a great goal to even the score."
The two teams would trade jabs through the final 22 minutes of the match, but neither team was able to come up with the go-ahead goal, sending the match to overtime.
In the first overtime period, Oregon challenged the ASU defense, sending in two quality looks and earning a corner kick. However, the Sun Devils were up for the task. With neither team able to score, ASU headed to the second overtime period for just the second time this season.
"As we were heading to the second overtime period, I started thinking that a tie would be a very nice result," Winkworth said. "I guess Schimmy (Marleen Schimmer) didn't feel that way."
With the game hanging in the balance, Schimmer would see her first look at goal in the period just two minutes in. She turned and fired in what would have been the game winner, but it would sail just wide.
In the 110th- minute, things would be different. Schimmer found herself on the attack with just seconds remaining. The speedy midfielder worked herself into the 18'- box, and turned loose on a shot that tucked in the far post to give the Sun Devils a 2-1 victory.
Schimmer's second goal also marked the second straight outing for ASU in which a freshman has carded a brace. Last week, Nicole Douglas scored twice to get Arizona State past Washington, 2-1.
"We responded very well after the first half," Winkworth added. "We created a lot of chances in the second half, and then in overtime it was really back and forth. There were a lot of tired legs out there, but Schimmy was able to find the energy in the last 20 seconds. She stayed very composed and blasted it in the back of the net. I couldn't be prouder. I am really happy with the ladies and this was a huge win."
The win in Eugene marked the first win over Oregon since the 2015 season, and first road victory over the Ducks since 2013. The win also improved ASU to 9-5-1 on the season, including a 4-3-1 mark in Pac-12 play. The nine wins in the most for ASU since the 2014 season saw the Devils pick up 12 wins en route to an NCAA Second Round appearance.
ASU will be back in action on Sunday with yet another road matchup, this time in Corvallis against Oregon State. The match will serve as yet another important test for the team, who has their eyes set on the program's eighth NCAA postseason berth.
"We will train and prepare here over the next couple of days," Winkworth said of the upcoming match. "We will certainly not over do it. I think the key for us is not just to prepare on the pitch, we have got to prepare mentally the next two days. We know that it will be important to get a result on Sunday. The feeling right now is phenomenal and we don't want that to change. We have got great character on this team. In the words of coach Herm Edwards, we need to stay humble and hungry."
Fans can stay up to date with all the action from the remainder of the 2018 regular season by following @SunDevilSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.