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No. 16 Soccer Battles Arizona on Friday

GAME NOTES Opens in a new window Highest USC Ranking Since 2004 Opens in a new window Cascapera, Douglas Earn Player of the Week Opens in a new window
No. 16 Soccer Battles Arizona on FridayNo. 16 Soccer Battles Arizona on Friday
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The No. 16 Arizona State soccer team continues its road trip with a non-conference game at in-state rival Arizona on Friday, March 19. The fight for the Territorial Cup Series® continues on the Pac-12 Network starting at 7:00 p.m. MST. 

Friday's match is the first of two planned meetings between the Sun Devils (6-0-2) and Wildcats (5-3) in the 2020-21 season. The pair's conference showdown is set to close out ASU's regular season on April 16 at Sun Devil Stadium. 

ASU is on a heater after collecting four conference points from two road games in Oregon last weekend. The overtime win and double-overtime tie at Oregon State and Oregon, respectively, protected ASU's unbeaten streak this season. 

After receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll last week, ASU officially broke into the top-25 on Tuesday and made a statement with a massive jump to No. 16 with eight games played. 

The duel in the desert stretches back to 1996 with a record that swings in ASU's favor as the Sun Devils boast 17 in the all-time wins column against UArizona. Head coach Graham Winkworth and company head to the town down south looking to break the Wildcats four-game winning streak over the Sun Devils. 
 

Rivalry Week #NoPity ?? pic.twitter.com/9ClFxtaUML

— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) March 18, 2021


ASU last collected a win against Arizona in Tucson during the 2015 season with a 4-1 dominating victory. 

SUN DEVIL REWIND
The Sun Devils couldn't be hotter as they embark on this week's rivalry road game. ASU put on an absolute barn burner at Oregon State last Sunday, scratching and clawing their way to a 1-0 overtime win. Five minutes into overtime, freshman Jazmine Wilkinson gave a gorgeous give-and-go pass connected with Douglas, who faked out three defenders and sent the ball to the back of the net off her weak foot.

Two days before, ASU stopped by Eugene to face the Oregon Ducks. The Sun Devils conceded one controversial goal three minutes before halftime and rallied in the second half to push the Ducks on their heels. None other than Douglas scored the equalizer that would send the game to overtime. ASU pressured heavily and early in the extra minutes but couldn't break the knotted scores. 

ASU left the Pacific Northwest with four conference points under their belt and remained undefeated on the season. 
 

I love this team?????? https://t.co/mQAp3vbsCq

— Nicole Douglas (@Nicoledouglasss) March 14, 2021


FACTS AND LAST TIME IT HAPPENED UPDATES
  • ASU's overtime win at OSU last weekend is the second OT win at an away game. Earlier in the season, ASU defeated GCU, 3-2, in one OT as the visiting team. 
  • Douglas leads the Pac-12 in goals (8), points (17), and shots (30). In the all-time career record book, her 65 career points ties at No. 7, 28 goals ties for No. 5, and nine game-winning goals ties for No. 5
  • Giulia Cascapera put on a brilliant performance against OSU, notching six saves in the game - her new season-high. Her shutout against ASU boosted her to tie at No. 7 in the program's career shutouts. Cascapera's .826 save percentage and 0.53 goals-against average both rank fourth in the Pac-12 Conference. 
  • The squad leads the Pac-12 in assists per game (2.38), points per game (6.88), scoring offense (2.25), total goals (18), and total points (55). 
  • Nicole Douglas and Giulia Cascapera earned Pac-12 Offensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Week heading into the match at UArizona.
  • Cinderella story: Nguyen went through two years as a Sun Devil without recording any points. All that changed in the 2020-21 season opener when the junior recorded her first collegiate goal/point against UTEP. Her 11 points are third in the Pac-12. 
  • Assist Queen: Alexia Delgado boasts five assists in eight appearances. It's more than double the two she earned in 2019. Delgado scored her first goal of the season against Washington.