TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State soccer team (6-2-1) ended its non-conference schedule with a, 1-1, draw to CSUN in overtime on Friday night at the Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
Statistically, the Sun Devils dominated the game, outshooting CSUN, 22-7, including a 6-2 advantage on shots on goal. ASU would also control possession for 63 percent of the match, but were unable to score the would-be golden-goal in the 20 minutes of overtime.
It was a defensive showdown throughout the first 45 minutes, as both teams headed into the halftime break with the score still reading 0-0.
Shortly after the start of the second, CSUN would come through with the first goal of the match, finding the back of the net in the 48th minute.
In the 64th minute ASU found themselves caught in the counter-attack again, but freshman goalkeeper Giulia Cascapera would make a huge save to keep the game at 1-0.
The Sun Devils would finally see their hard work rewarded in the 75th minute when sophomore forward Midfielder Marleen Schimmer drew a penalty in the box after she had got past her defender. The team goal-scoring leader, Nicole Douglas, would step up to the spot and calmly scored the equalizer, pushing the score to 1-1 while scoring her eighth goal of the season.
With neither team able to find the back of the net again in the outing, the Sun Devils were forced to settle for their first draw of the season, and first tie in a match since Sept. 27, 2018.
The Sun Devils will be back in action next week when the team begins Pac-12 play against Utah. Kickoff for Friday's match is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PT, with the Pac-12 Network set to broadcast the match. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2019 season by following @SunDevilSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
A Word With The Team:
Head coach Graham Winkworth on the team's performance in the draw...
"I was really happy with our performance. In the last two performances we have controlled the game from front to back and have been the team on the pitch who is looking to win the game. Tonight, I credit CSUN, they came out and had a plan to deal with our style of soccer. They were able to send long balls and be effective at it, scoring a goal early in the second half and forcing us to really have to go at it. Once we scored the equalizer, I thought we were the team who looked like we might win the game. I was really proud of our efforts, but we have still got to be better in front of goal."
Winkworth on the team heading into Pac-12 play...
"Looking for more of the same from the team, except we have got to be more clinical in front of the goal. Other than one let down, I thought our shape defensively was excellent. We were ready for the long balls, we had the number back to defend against those, but we got caught by one. Once we got our shape back after the equalizer, we didn't really have any problems. We are positioned well, having only lost two games in nine matches. We have played some good teams in there and I think we are in a good place and playing some decent soccer. I am excited about our future."
Senior Kylie Miniefield on the team's play in the match...
"We were playing really well, especially in those first 25 minutes. We had such great possession and we created some good chances, but it kind of went downhill as the game went on. That is something we have to fix as we go forward. I think we just need to be more confident in taking quality shots. In the past, we have been known as a team who shoots a lot outside of the 18', but now to counter that I feel like we aren't shooting as much. We have been trying so hard to get that perfect shot inside the box, and playing the ball too much inside the 18' and now we just have to be brave enough to take those shots. We just have to be smarter and get after it and not be so conservative."
Sophomore Nicole Douglas on the game-tying penalty kick...
"You just have so much pressure on yourself, especially when you are 1-0 down with a chance to ty the game. My team had so much confidence in me and I just thought to myself that I just have to put this in the back of the net. I was super nervous to take that kick because it meant so much to me and the team, but I knew I just had to place it. I am just happy it went in the back of the net."
Match Notes...
Statistically, the Sun Devils dominated the game, outshooting CSUN, 22-7, including a 6-2 advantage on shots on goal. ASU would also control possession for 63 percent of the match, but were unable to score the would-be golden-goal in the 20 minutes of overtime.
It was a defensive showdown throughout the first 45 minutes, as both teams headed into the halftime break with the score still reading 0-0.
Shortly after the start of the second, CSUN would come through with the first goal of the match, finding the back of the net in the 48th minute.
In the 64th minute ASU found themselves caught in the counter-attack again, but freshman goalkeeper Giulia Cascapera would make a huge save to keep the game at 1-0.
66'| BIG SAVE! @giuliapera1 coming up huge for the Devils on a CSUN breakaway. #TeamFirst pic.twitter.com/adCUDXEc1H
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) September 21, 2019
The Sun Devils would finally see their hard work rewarded in the 75th minute when sophomore forward Midfielder Marleen Schimmer drew a penalty in the box after she had got past her defender. The team goal-scoring leader, Nicole Douglas, would step up to the spot and calmly scored the equalizer, pushing the score to 1-1 while scoring her eighth goal of the season.
With neither team able to find the back of the net again in the outing, the Sun Devils were forced to settle for their first draw of the season, and first tie in a match since Sept. 27, 2018.
The Sun Devils will be back in action next week when the team begins Pac-12 play against Utah. Kickoff for Friday's match is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PT, with the Pac-12 Network set to broadcast the match. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2019 season by following @SunDevilSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
A fight to the finish ?? pic.twitter.com/12Ne1rjqeJ
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) September 21, 2019
A Word With The Team:
Head coach Graham Winkworth on the team's performance in the draw...
"I was really happy with our performance. In the last two performances we have controlled the game from front to back and have been the team on the pitch who is looking to win the game. Tonight, I credit CSUN, they came out and had a plan to deal with our style of soccer. They were able to send long balls and be effective at it, scoring a goal early in the second half and forcing us to really have to go at it. Once we scored the equalizer, I thought we were the team who looked like we might win the game. I was really proud of our efforts, but we have still got to be better in front of goal."
Winkworth on the team heading into Pac-12 play...
"Looking for more of the same from the team, except we have got to be more clinical in front of the goal. Other than one let down, I thought our shape defensively was excellent. We were ready for the long balls, we had the number back to defend against those, but we got caught by one. Once we got our shape back after the equalizer, we didn't really have any problems. We are positioned well, having only lost two games in nine matches. We have played some good teams in there and I think we are in a good place and playing some decent soccer. I am excited about our future."
Senior Kylie Miniefield on the team's play in the match...
"We were playing really well, especially in those first 25 minutes. We had such great possession and we created some good chances, but it kind of went downhill as the game went on. That is something we have to fix as we go forward. I think we just need to be more confident in taking quality shots. In the past, we have been known as a team who shoots a lot outside of the 18', but now to counter that I feel like we aren't shooting as much. We have been trying so hard to get that perfect shot inside the box, and playing the ball too much inside the 18' and now we just have to be brave enough to take those shots. We just have to be smarter and get after it and not be so conservative."
Sophomore Nicole Douglas on the game-tying penalty kick...
"You just have so much pressure on yourself, especially when you are 1-0 down with a chance to ty the game. My team had so much confidence in me and I just thought to myself that I just have to put this in the back of the net. I was super nervous to take that kick because it meant so much to me and the team, but I knew I just had to place it. I am just happy it went in the back of the net."
Match Notes...
- Friday's draw was the first for ASU since Sept. 27 of last year, and first nonconference draw since the 2016 season (tied Boston College 1-1).
- With her goal tonight, Nicole Douglas is one goal shy of tying her total goals scored from a year ago, with 11 games still left to be played in the regular season.
- Arizona State finished the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 6-2-1 record, marking their highest win percentage in non-conference play since Graham Winkworth arrived before the 2017 season.
- Nicole Douglas' penalty kick goal was the first made PK for a Sun Devil player since the 2017 season when Jemma Purfield connected on a penalty kick goal against Utah on Oct. 21.