Action will get underway in the Desert Classic with a 4:00 p.m. PT match featuring Arizona and Weber State Friday afternoon. Arizona State will take the field at 7:00 p.m. to face off against Tennessee Tech. Sunday, action will resume with an 11:00 a.m. match featuring Arizona and Tennessee Tech, before ASU finishes the weekend with a 2:00 p.m. meeting with Weber State.
"Tennessee Tech picked up a couple of draws this past weekend against some quality mid major opponents," head coach Graham Winkworth said of the Golden Eagle's start to the 2019 season. "Weber State struggled a little-bit against California, but we know they are difficult to breakdown. We anticipate both teams probably sitting back a little against us, trying to soak up some of our pressure. We have to be patient in the way we play. We have to continue to make the field big and move the ball around well. Lots and lots of passing, lots and lots of possessions in what will be very hot conditions. We just need to focus on our own performances during this time of the year. People focus on the scores and all, but we have to keep our focus on if we are winning our own individual challenges. Are we winning our individual battles, are we taking care of possession individually as well as collectively."
The Sun Devils will hit the field this week with a lot of confidence following an 11-goal opening weekend that saw the first hat-trick from an ASU player since the 2015 season, as well as a record-tying seven goal outing in Sunday's home-opener.
"The first game we were extremely clinical," Winkworth said of the Sun Devil attack. "We scored probably more goals than we deserved to score, but that's because of the quality of talent we've got on that part of the pitch. We scored some very good goals. I was excited about that. Then again on Sunday we did a nice job of scoring. I think Central Arkansas struggled a little bit in the goalkeeper position, that probably made the scoreline a bit more flattering than we deserved. At the same time, we've been very clinical in front of goal, so-far-so-good in that sense. I think one of the key parts to that is that we are a little deeper and the competition level is greater in all areas of the pitch. The final third is one of those areas for sure."
Through the first weekend of play, eight players made their first appearance in the maroon and gold, including six players who tallied their collegiate debuts. Of those eight players who made their first ASU appearances, three scored a goal, including freshmen Dai Williams and Nicole Soto. Senior Lorato Sargeant scored a goal, and tallied an assist in her first weekend as a Sun Devil.
"They settled in very quickly," Winkworth said of the multitude of new players who made an impact in week one. "This last summer was very helpful for us. They got to know the team very fast, so they probably don't feel as new as some teams have with their freshmen. They probably don't feel quite as new, and that is really good. It's nice for them to get off the mark, particularly the attacking players. It's always nice to score your first goal of the season, and when you've got all of these names that have scored already this year, that takes a little-bit of pressure off them."
Not to be outdone, a handful of returners made a big splash in the first week of the season as well. Sophomores Eva Van Deursen, Nicole Douglas and Marleen Schimmer combined to score five goals and tally four assists on the weekend. Entering the Sun Devil Classic, the top four points leaders on the team are all sophomores.
"This time last year, some of them weren't even here yet, they were off competing at the World Cup," Winkworth said of the wealth of talent returning to the roster in 2019. "That really helps that they're here and that they have come back in reasonable shape. They were ready and eager to go and they knew each other as well. There's that continuity factor. They have played together in the spring. Shimmy started the season a lot brighter than she started last season. She's more of a veteran now this year and she's been very-very good in possession of the ball and much better out of possession of the ball. She topped off those performances with a cracking goal against Fullerton, and then Dougie (Nicole Douglas) was able to take over the show on Sunday. We're not relying on just one person anymore, we've got multiple people that can score goals and that makes our team very exciting."
The Sun Devils will look to continue their hot start to the season in front of yet another rowdy crowd at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Last weekend, a record 704 students joined in helping ASU get past UCA in the team's home-opener. It was a crowd, and overall atmosphere, that helped guide the Sun Devils to a record-tying seven goals in the win.
"That was fantastic on Sunday," Winkworth said of the boisterous crowd. "We hope. we put on a show that would make them want to come back. I know it's the 942 Crew game of the week again on Friday night. I'm really hoping that the students come and get their tank tops, wear them proudly and make lots and lots of noise. Make it a fun environment to play in and we will do our best to put a fun game on for them as well."
Fans looking to purchase tickets for the Sun Devil Desert Classic can visit Ticketmaster.com, or call the ticket office at 480-727-0000. Fans can also stay up to date with the Sun Devil soccer team all season long by following @SunDevilSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.