TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State soccer stayed perfect on the young season, defeating Weber State in an overtime thriller at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium Sunday afternoon.
On what was a blazing hot summer day, the Sun Devil offense put on yet another powerful performance, outshooting Weber State, 27-2, including a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal.
The one that made the difference, and sent the ASU fans home happy, came in the game's 92nd minute when Lieske Carleer found Olive Jones in the box for the golden-goal finisher.
The overtime victory improved Arizona State to 4-0 on the season, the team's best start since 2005. This season marks just the third time in program history for the Devils to start 4-0, and moves them one win closer to matching the start to the 2000 season, a 9-0 start that still stands as the best start to a Sun Devil soccer season.
In the first half, ASU pushed the ball forward well tallying 13 shots in the first 45 minutes of play, but the defensive minded Wildcats would hold to keep the game scoreless at the half.
The second half brought more of the same for ASU, as the Sun Devils would pile on 13 more shots, but be unable to crack the Weber State defense.
With both teams looking to end the match that was played in scorching hot conditions in the first overtime period, it was ASU who finally broke through with a beautiful shot in the box from Jones, a trike that stands as her second goal of the season, and first career game winner.
The Sun Devils will be back in action next Friday when the team travels to Tucson to face UC Irvine in a Friday afternoon tilt. Following Friday's neutral site matchup, the team will return home to host Oklahoma at 5:00 p.m. PT. The game against the Sooners will be televised by the Pac-12 Network, but fans can also follow all of the action by following @SunDevilSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
A Word With The Team...
On resiliency of the team:
"I think the main difference is one year and one day ago we lost a very similar game to New Hampshire on this pitch. Myself, coach Bocchi and the players have all been reminding each other of that for a very long time and we knew we would have to play a game like this at some point. I think the character showed through. We controlled the match, we just couldn't get past a very resilient defense of Weber State. Congratulations to them on putting on an incredible performance."
On if a close match was needed for this young group:
"Definitely. As much as I like winning 7-1, we don't want those games every week because that is not going to prepare us for conference play. I can't see us winning too many games in the league 7-1. These games are good and it's important that we find a way to win, even if it's in less pretty ways. That was a great goal. We didn't play as fluidly as we have in recent matches, but we found a way to win and that was the most important thing."
On message sent to the team after a win like this:
"I am really proud of their character. This time last year, one day and one year ago we lost to New Hampshire on this pitch in what was a very similar match. This year, we not only managed to find the winning goal, but we held them to two chances. In 90 plus minutes, that's not very many so we did a good job limiting their chances because it really was an offense against defense type of match."
Senior Captain Kylie Miniefield:
On the match:
"I am glad it's over but, I am also glad we ended with a win. Yes, afternoon games tend to feel like that. The other team defended really well so it was a good battle, but I am happy our team was able to come through at the end and it's a good reminder to never give up, so that is what we have been trying to fight for all summer long. To see that come to fruition in this game was awesome."
On frustration of not being able to find the back of the net:
"We were all frustrated at the end. We had so many chances. It's easy to get down on yourself, but instead of being frustrated and slowing down – we were like, okay that sucks, it's okay and we are going to keep going.""
On mindset coming into overtime:
"Our mindset was to just come out like it was the first second of the game. We wanted to come out with a ton of energy and show them that this is our pitch. We wanted to send a message that we are not going to lose and if we are we are going to go down fighting. We just wanted to come out with intensity and fire and I think we did."
Match Notes...
- The Sun Devils improved to 4-0 on the season, the third time in program history the team has been 4-0 to start the year.
- With the win, head coach Graham Winkworth improves to 196-117-19 in his career, moving him four games from tallying win no. 200 as a head coach.
- With her game winner today, Olive Jones has now scored two goals on the season, and four career goals as a Sun Devil.
- Keeper Giulia Cascapera picked up her first career clean-sheet in the win, while also tallying her third win in goal for ASU.
LINKS
--Sun Devils exorcise demons to take overtime win (House of Sparky)
--Soccer edges Weber State in overtime to remain undefeated (State Press)
--Photo Gallery (House of Sparky)
SUN DEVIL SOCCER 4-0 STARTS/FINAL RECORD
2019: 4-0
2015: 4-0/9-8-1
2000: 9-0/14-7-1 (NCAA)
On what was a blazing hot summer day, the Sun Devil offense put on yet another powerful performance, outshooting Weber State, 27-2, including a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal.
The one that made the difference, and sent the ASU fans home happy, came in the game's 92nd minute when Lieske Carleer found Olive Jones in the box for the golden-goal finisher.
The overtime victory improved Arizona State to 4-0 on the season, the team's best start since 2005. This season marks just the third time in program history for the Devils to start 4-0, and moves them one win closer to matching the start to the 2000 season, a 9-0 start that still stands as the best start to a Sun Devil soccer season.
Desert Ice ?? pic.twitter.com/C7IXDOod71
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) September 1, 2019
In the first half, ASU pushed the ball forward well tallying 13 shots in the first 45 minutes of play, but the defensive minded Wildcats would hold to keep the game scoreless at the half.
'45 | SO CLOSE ??
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) September 1, 2019
Sun Devils with 3 near chances to end the half! pic.twitter.com/9OE4dV0z7k
The second half brought more of the same for ASU, as the Sun Devils would pile on 13 more shots, but be unable to crack the Weber State defense.
With both teams looking to end the match that was played in scorching hot conditions in the first overtime period, it was ASU who finally broke through with a beautiful shot in the box from Jones, a trike that stands as her second goal of the season, and first career game winner.
'92 | @Olivia15Jones with the first time finish and game winner! Assist by Carleer.
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) September 1, 2019
?? 1
?? 0 pic.twitter.com/wVQQcAO7qA
The Sun Devils will be back in action next Friday when the team travels to Tucson to face UC Irvine in a Friday afternoon tilt. Following Friday's neutral site matchup, the team will return home to host Oklahoma at 5:00 p.m. PT. The game against the Sooners will be televised by the Pac-12 Network, but fans can also follow all of the action by following @SunDevilSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
A Word With The Team...
On resiliency of the team:
"I think the main difference is one year and one day ago we lost a very similar game to New Hampshire on this pitch. Myself, coach Bocchi and the players have all been reminding each other of that for a very long time and we knew we would have to play a game like this at some point. I think the character showed through. We controlled the match, we just couldn't get past a very resilient defense of Weber State. Congratulations to them on putting on an incredible performance."
On if a close match was needed for this young group:
"Definitely. As much as I like winning 7-1, we don't want those games every week because that is not going to prepare us for conference play. I can't see us winning too many games in the league 7-1. These games are good and it's important that we find a way to win, even if it's in less pretty ways. That was a great goal. We didn't play as fluidly as we have in recent matches, but we found a way to win and that was the most important thing."
On message sent to the team after a win like this:
"I am really proud of their character. This time last year, one day and one year ago we lost to New Hampshire on this pitch in what was a very similar match. This year, we not only managed to find the winning goal, but we held them to two chances. In 90 plus minutes, that's not very many so we did a good job limiting their chances because it really was an offense against defense type of match."
Senior Captain Kylie Miniefield:
On the match:
"I am glad it's over but, I am also glad we ended with a win. Yes, afternoon games tend to feel like that. The other team defended really well so it was a good battle, but I am happy our team was able to come through at the end and it's a good reminder to never give up, so that is what we have been trying to fight for all summer long. To see that come to fruition in this game was awesome."
On frustration of not being able to find the back of the net:
"We were all frustrated at the end. We had so many chances. It's easy to get down on yourself, but instead of being frustrated and slowing down – we were like, okay that sucks, it's okay and we are going to keep going.""
On mindset coming into overtime:
"Our mindset was to just come out like it was the first second of the game. We wanted to come out with a ton of energy and show them that this is our pitch. We wanted to send a message that we are not going to lose and if we are we are going to go down fighting. We just wanted to come out with intensity and fire and I think we did."
Match Notes...
- The Sun Devils improved to 4-0 on the season, the third time in program history the team has been 4-0 to start the year.
- With the win, head coach Graham Winkworth improves to 196-117-19 in his career, moving him four games from tallying win no. 200 as a head coach.
- With her game winner today, Olive Jones has now scored two goals on the season, and four career goals as a Sun Devil.
- Keeper Giulia Cascapera picked up her first career clean-sheet in the win, while also tallying her third win in goal for ASU.
LINKS
--Sun Devils exorcise demons to take overtime win (House of Sparky)
--Soccer edges Weber State in overtime to remain undefeated (State Press)
--Photo Gallery (House of Sparky)
SUN DEVIL SOCCER 4-0 STARTS/FINAL RECORD
2019: 4-0
2015: 4-0/9-8-1
2000: 9-0/14-7-1 (NCAA)