TEMPE, Ariz. -- GOOOAAAALLLLLLL! The Arizona State soccer team remains undefeated this season after scoring four goals from three different players in Sunday night's 4-0 shutout win against Grand Canyon to complete the two-game sweep at Sun Devil Stadium.
Just about all of Sunday night's action had junior Olivia Nguyen's signature on it. The midfielder scored two goals and notched an assist within 27 minutes of the second half - the first multi-goal game of her collegiate career. Her 10 points on the season are second-most on the team after leading goal-scorer Nicole Douglas' 12 points. Nguyen is on a heater, scoring at least one goal in three of the last four games.
Junior midfielder Isabel Dehakiz started the scoring frenzy for the Sun Devils (4-0-0) with her first goal of the season at the 44th minute of the first half. The momentum easily carried into the second frame against the Lopes (0-4-0) as the Sun Devil offense exploded for three more goals to secure the 4-0 shutout.
The Sun Devils will host Pac-12 rival USC (0-0-0) on Friday, Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Sun Devil Stadium. Per Pac-12 Conference guidelines, no fans are permitted to attend.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
QUOTE FROM OLIVIA NGUYEN:
On team performance this season:
"In the last few games we've had a lot of opportunities, a lot of shots, but not as many as we wanted to convert so finally seeing the end result feels really good and now we have a few days and onto the next one, so we're really excited"
QUOTE FROM ISABEL DEHAKIZ:
On scoring first goal:
"I think it was a great momentum, and to score right at the end basically it was kind of like yeah we got this, we can do more for this and just everyone trusting in each other. For me, that was my first goal so that was pretty cool-- I'll do it for my mom again-- but I think it just led us with a good mindset going into the half and second half we came out firing."
A WORD WITH WINKWORTH:
On Olivia Nguyen:
"She's been phenomenal, I'm really proud of her because she didn't play very many minutes in previous years and she's worked her way into the team and there's nothing more pleasing for a coach when a player works their socks off and earns the right to play."
On the season:
"Just getting on the pitch has been phenomenal, the girls are just so excited to be able to come to practice because it's something they couldn't do for so many months-- the NCAA has found a time for some sort of season and we've been blessed to be able to play and just to get out there and play has been phenomenal."
Mindset going into conference play:
"I've learned that this is a strong group of women, strong group of characters, their togetherness is phenomenal, some players haven't played a minute others have played every minute, they're so supportive of one another and when we shout team first maybe for the first time in a while they really mean it. They're putting the team before themselves and it's been wonderful, its an absolute joy coming into work and coaching with the girls and we've got a lot of banter, there's a lot of jokes going on we make fun each other, they make fun of me probably more then I make fun of them but it's great I love it, I love that sort of environment that we can create and have a laugh. As long as when we step on the field for practice or on game day, when we cross that white line we know it's time for business. I really enjoy the fun and having that type of environment around the girls because they've been fantastic."
Just about all of Sunday night's action had junior Olivia Nguyen's signature on it. The midfielder scored two goals and notched an assist within 27 minutes of the second half - the first multi-goal game of her collegiate career. Her 10 points on the season are second-most on the team after leading goal-scorer Nicole Douglas' 12 points. Nguyen is on a heater, scoring at least one goal in three of the last four games.
WE RUN PHOENIX ?? pic.twitter.com/4CPLeR5zO4
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) February 15, 2021
Junior midfielder Isabel Dehakiz started the scoring frenzy for the Sun Devils (4-0-0) with her first goal of the season at the 44th minute of the first half. The momentum easily carried into the second frame against the Lopes (0-4-0) as the Sun Devil offense exploded for three more goals to secure the 4-0 shutout.
The Sun Devils will host Pac-12 rival USC (0-0-0) on Friday, Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Sun Devil Stadium. Per Pac-12 Conference guidelines, no fans are permitted to attend.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Sun Devils battled through the first 44 minutes of play, actively looking for scoring opportunities and continuing to pressure the Lopes in their zone.
- With one minute remaining in the first half, Isabel Dehakiz got the Sun Devils on the board. Sophomore Lieske Carleer earned the assist.
- At the 48 minute mark, junior midfielder Eva Van Deursen made a pass from the corner and Nguyen found the ball to put ASU up 2-0.
- With a quick turnover in the midfield, Dehakiz picked up her head and found Nyguen on the right flank. Nyguen dribbled down the line into the edge of the 18-yard box before crossing it in finding Jones' head for the third goal.
THAT HEADER OMG OLIVE ??
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) February 15, 2021
Olivia » Olive pic.twitter.com/myZ4zRlUsE
- With 15 minutes left in the 2nd half, Nguyen again found the back of the net for her second goal of the night. Freshman Jazmine Wilkinson sent a dime from outside the box that hit the crossbar and found Nguyen at the goal line for a right-footed goal.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Giulia Cascapera earned the shutout, stopping all 6 shots from the Lopes.
QUOTE FROM OLIVIA NGUYEN:
On team performance this season:
"In the last few games we've had a lot of opportunities, a lot of shots, but not as many as we wanted to convert so finally seeing the end result feels really good and now we have a few days and onto the next one, so we're really excited"
QUOTE FROM ISABEL DEHAKIZ:
On scoring first goal:
"I think it was a great momentum, and to score right at the end basically it was kind of like yeah we got this, we can do more for this and just everyone trusting in each other. For me, that was my first goal so that was pretty cool-- I'll do it for my mom again-- but I think it just led us with a good mindset going into the half and second half we came out firing."
A WORD WITH WINKWORTH:
On Olivia Nguyen:
"She's been phenomenal, I'm really proud of her because she didn't play very many minutes in previous years and she's worked her way into the team and there's nothing more pleasing for a coach when a player works their socks off and earns the right to play."
On the season:
"Just getting on the pitch has been phenomenal, the girls are just so excited to be able to come to practice because it's something they couldn't do for so many months-- the NCAA has found a time for some sort of season and we've been blessed to be able to play and just to get out there and play has been phenomenal."
Mindset going into conference play:
"I've learned that this is a strong group of women, strong group of characters, their togetherness is phenomenal, some players haven't played a minute others have played every minute, they're so supportive of one another and when we shout team first maybe for the first time in a while they really mean it. They're putting the team before themselves and it's been wonderful, its an absolute joy coming into work and coaching with the girls and we've got a lot of banter, there's a lot of jokes going on we make fun each other, they make fun of me probably more then I make fun of them but it's great I love it, I love that sort of environment that we can create and have a laugh. As long as when we step on the field for practice or on game day, when we cross that white line we know it's time for business. I really enjoy the fun and having that type of environment around the girls because they've been fantastic."