THE GAME: Sun Devil Soccer (7-4-3, 3-4-1 Pac-12) vs. Oregon (4-6-6, 2-4-2 Pac-12)
WHEN: Thursday at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Sun Devil Soccer Stadium • Tempe, Ariz.
WATCH: ASU Live Stream
LIVE STATS: Click here
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil soccer team plays the first of three consecutive home games to end the regular season when it faces Oregon on Thursday (7 p.m.) at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. After Thursday's game, ASU will face Oregon State on Sunday at 1 p.m. before its annual contest with in-state rival Arizona next Friday at 7 p.m.
Sunday's 2-1 setback at Washington concluded a stretch in which the Sun Devils played four of five games on the road. Last weekend's road trip to Washington started with a 2-0 win at Washington State. A pair of Arizona natives, fifth-year senior Olivia Nguyen (sixth game-winning goal of her career) and New Mexico State transfer Hannah Leitner (first goal as a Sun Devil) provided all the scoring, while freshman goalkeeper Pauline Nelles, who made a career-high nine saves in ASU's scoreless tie vs. Utah (Oct. 14), added seven more saves vs. Washington State to post her second consecutive shutout.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• The Sun Devils (7-4-3, 3-4-1 Pac-12) are currently in a three-way tie for fifth place with Washington (9-4-3, 3-4-1) and Arizona (6-6-3, 3-4-1) in the Pac-12 standings. UCLA (15-1, 7-1 Pac-12) and Stanford (14-2-1, 7-1) are tied for first, USC follows in third place (9-2-3, 5-1-2) and Cal (9-4-4, 4-3-1) in fourth place. Washington State (8-4-4, 2-3-3, eighth place) follows the three teams tied for the fifth spot, Colorado (8-5-4, 2-4-2), Utah (6-4-2, 2-4-2) and Oregon (4-6-6, 2-4-2) are tied for ninth place and Oregon State 4-9-3, 0-7-1) rounds out the standings.
• In the all-important NCAA RPI, ASU started the week at No. 19, one of 11 Pac-12 teams ranked in the top 60. It was joined by UCLA (No. 1), Stanford (No. 10), USC (No. 33), Cal (No. 38), Arizona (No. 39), Oregon (No. 43), Washington State (No. 49), Washington (No. 51), Colorado (No. 54) and Utah (No. 57).
• ASU's two goals in its win at Washington State on Oct. 20 represented the first time ASU had scored multiple goals since its 2-1, come-from-behind win vs. Cal on Sept. 29. In the four games prior to the win over WSU, ASU scored one goal while going 0-3-1 averaging 4.2 goals per game during a five-game winning streak. The common dominator in the 0-3-1 stretch? Trying to score goals against the top four teams in the Pac-12 in goals against average (rankings prior to last week's road trip: UCLA (first in the Pac-12 and fifth in the nation), Stanford (second in the Pac-12, 16th in the nation), USC (third in the Pac-12) and Utah (fourth in the Pac-12).
• As of Oct. 26, ASU is among the top 50 teams in the nation in assists per game (2.29/20th), points per game (6.43/30th) and scoring (2.07 goals per game/46th).
• ASU has been led by returning All-American Nicole Douglas. Now the program's all-time career leader in goals (55), points (129) & game-winning goals (17), Douglas is currently 26th in the nation in goals per game (0.64), 32nd in shots on goal per game (1.79) and 36th in points per game (1.43).
• After not finding the back of the net in ASU's season opener vs. South Dakota State (Aug. 18), Douglas scored nine goals in ASU's next five games. In ASU's 5-0 win over Grambling State (Sept. 14), Douglas, who was named the Pac-12's offensive player of the week on Sept. 19, tied the school's single-game school record for goals (3) for the fourth time in her career. She has now scored multiple goals in a game 12 times in her career.
• Eva van Deursen (24 career assists) needs one assist to tie ASU Hall of Famer Stacy Tullock's school record of 25. Lucy Johnson, who has missed three games this season, currently leads ASU in assists in 2022 (7) and is three assists away from tying van Deursen's single-season record of 10 set last season.
• Prior to its loss vs. Stanford, ASU scored 21 goals during a five-game winning streak (6 vs. UAB, 5 vs. Grambling State and Toledo, 3 at Colorado and 2 vs. Cal). Douglas (6 goals), van Deursen (5 goals) and Delgado (4 goals) combined for 15 of those 21 goals. By the season's eighth game, Van Deursen and Delgado had already set new single-season career highs in goals. Delgado scored her fifth goal at Washington (Oct. 23).
• Both Lucy Johnson (vs. UAB) and Kennedy Mayo (vs. Toledo) have tied the single-game school record for assists (3).
SENIOR DAY ON SUNDAY
At the conclusion of Sunday's game vs. Oregon State, the Sun Devil soccer program will celebrate the careers of this year's senior class, one of the best in the history of the program: Fifth-year seniors Alexia Delgado, Nicole Douglas, Olivia Nguyen and Eva van Deursen and Giulia Cascapera, Callie Darst and Tahlia Herman-Watt. The program's NCAA appearance in 2020 (played in the Spring of 2021), the program's first since 2014, and three winning seasons – including a pair of 10-win campaigns – are among the most notable of the several accomplishments of this year's class.
SERIES NOTES VS OREGON
Neither team has claimed superiority over the other in recent years... The three meetings prior to Oregon's 1-0 win last season in Eugene: ASU 2-1 in 2OT in Eugene in 2018, Oregon 1-0 in 2019 in Tempe, 1-1 in Eugene in 2020 (played in the spring of 2021)... Last season's meeting in Eugene (14th game of the season) was the first time in 2021 the Sun Devils failed to score a goal, despite having statistical advantages of 11-6 in shots and 8-1 in shots on goal.
GREAT CULTURE EQUALS GREAT SUCCESS
The fact the ASU did not encounter a loss until the season's ninth game is a testament to the team's focus and leadership. Both of its opening weekend contests were affected by weather. ASU's opening game, 1-1 tie vs. 2021 NCAA Tournament participant South Dakota State, started on the night of Aug. 18 and finished on the morning of Aug. 19. Keri Matthews' first career goal tied the game at 1-1 on Aug. 19 after SDSU took the lead the previous night. ASU's next scheduled contest vs. Hawai'i (Aug. 21) was canceled (lightning).
ASU was able to start and finish its first road contest, a 2-1 win at Boise State (Aug. 25) without any unusual stoppages. However, weather issues once again came into play – a 50-minute lightning delay before the start of the second half – in ASU's 1-1 tie at Denver (Aug. 28).
ASU returned home and scored its most goals since the 2021 season opener in a 6-2 win over UAB (Sept. 1). It then went 13 days without playing a game after their home contests vs. Georgia Southern (Sept. 4) & Pepperdine (Sept. 8) were canceled (Covid-19 protocols).
ASU returned from the extended break with a pair of 5-0 wins over Grambling State (Sept. 14) & vs. Toledo (Sept. 18) before opening Pac-12 play with a dramatic, 3-2 win at Colorado (Sept. 23) and a come-from-behind, 2-1 win over Cal.
Again, it proved its mettle, ending a four-game winless streak (0-3-1) with a 2-0 win at Washington State (Oct. 20).
During the Covid season of 2020 (played in the spring of 2021), ASU made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014 and was just short of making its first Sweet 16 after falling to Duke in 2OT. Last season, ASU still managed to post a double-digit win total (10) despite having to play 22 different players in the starting lineup due to an unlucky spate of injuries.
MAKING HISTORY
All eyes have been focused 2021 NCAA scoring leader Nicole Douglas, who earned Third-Team All-America honors in 2021 and was one of 13 players named to the All-Pac-12 First Team. The first Sun Devil to earn All-America honors since 2002, in 2021 Douglas set single-season school records for goals (19/No. 1 in the nation) and points (45). She also led the nation in goals per game (0.95) and points per game (2.25).
On Sept. 1, 2022, Douglas became ASU's all-time leader in career goals after scoring twice in ASU's 6-2 win over UAB. Douglas tied and then and passed Sun Devil Hall of Famer Stacey Tullock (50 goals/1998-2001) vs. UAB. On Sept. 14 vs. Grambling State, Douglas became ASU's new career leader in points (126/54 goals and 18 assists) and game-winning goals (17), passing Tullock in both categories Grambling State (Sept. 14).
Douglas, who has started all 85 games in her career, accounted for a goal or assist in all but five games last season and had a stretch in which she scored at least one goal in seven straight games. She has scored multiple goals in a game 12x in her career and has tied the single-game school record for goals (3) on four occasions – most recently in ASU's 5-0 win over Grambling State (Sept. 14) – and the single-game record for assists (3) once.
On Aug. 18, it was announced Douglas was one of 60 players on the 2022 Hermann Trophy Watch List. Presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club, the Hermann Trophy is the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year.
CHASING HISTORY
Also within reach of breaking a program career record is fifth-year midfielder Eva van Deursen (24 career assists/second place), who needs two assists to become ASU's all-time leader. Tullock (first place/25 assists/1998-2001) holds the school record. Van Deursen has already accounted for a single-season, career-high five goals and four assists this season. She scored two goals, including the game-winning goal with three seconds remaining in ASU's 3-2 win at Colorado (Sept. 23) and followed with another game-winner in the 73rd minute of ASU's 2-1 win over Cal (Sept. 29). Van Deursen was named to the College Soccer News Women's National Team of the Week for the week ending Sept. 25.
In 2021, van Deursen set the school's single-season assists record with 10 in addition to scoring three goals. At season's end, van Deursen led the Pac-12 and was No. 19 in the nation in assists per game (0.56). She tied her single-game career high in assists (two) twice in ASU's wins at UAB (Aug. 29) and vs. Utah (Oct. 31).
HOW'S THIS FOR EXPERIENCE?
ASU returned a quartet of fifth-year players in the form of forwards Nicole Douglas (85 games/85 starts) and Olivia Nguyen (75 games/48 starts, including 47 starts in her last 51 games since start of her junior season) and midfielders Alexia Delgado (78 games/71 starts) and Eva van Deursen (83 games/78 starts). The four players have combined for 21 goals and 11 assists this season – Douglas (9G/2A), van Deursen (5G/4A), Delgado (5G/3A) and Nguyen (2G/2A) – and collectively have amassed 321 games played, including 282 starts.
The Sun Devils also return two other players with more than 60 games of experience: senior defender Lieske Carleer (64 games/63 starts) and senior defender/midfielder Callie Darst (61 starts in 68 career games). Although this is her first season with ASU, New Mexico State transfer Hannah Leitner has played in 59 games (43 starts). A starter in ASU's last two games, Leitner scored her first goal as a Sun Devil in ASU's 2-0 win at Washington State (Oct. 20).
Juniors Lucy Johnson (started eight of nine games she's played in 2022) and Jazmine Wilkinson (starts in eight of 13 games she has played in 2022), have also provided the team with important contributions this season. Johnson, who tied the single-game school record for assists (3) vs. UAB on Sept. 1, currently has a team-high seven assists and Wilkinson has accounted for one goal and one assist.
THEY MAY BE YOUNG, BUT THEY CAN PLAY
The Sun Devils have also relied on a number of freshmen and sophomores, who have contributed to ASU's success this season.
Sophomore forwards Keri Matthews and Kennedy Mayo have provided the opposition with additional scoring options to be aware of on its scouting reports. Matthews has scored a pair of goals to go with one assist. Mayo proved how dangerous she can be, accounting for a goal and a single-game, school record-tying three assists in ASU's 5-0 win vs. Toledo (Sept. 18). On the defensive end, Lauren Kirberg has provided the Sun Devils with several solid efforts on what has become a younger back line as the season has progressed.
The versatility of Fr. Enasia Colon – can play in the midfield or up top – has been a plus for the Sun Devils this season. She has played in all 14 games with five starts and has scored a pair of goals to go with four assists (tied for fourth on the team).
On the back line, Sun Devil freshmen and sophomores have all risen to the challenge when their number has been called: Fr. Andrea Kraetzer has played in all 14 games (12 starts), Fr. Meighan Farrell has played in 13 games (six starts, including last four contests), Fr. Ava Wright has played in 12 games (10 starts), So. Lauren Kirberg has played in 12 games (five starts).
Fr. GK Pauline Nelles was not available week one as she was still competing with the German National Team at the U20 World Cup in Costa Rica. She has since started the last 13 games and on Sept. 18, Nelles earned her first complete game shutout vs. Toledo. She had her second and made a career-high nine saves in ASU's 0-0 tie vs. Utah (Oct. 14) and added a third in ASU's 2-0 win at WSU (Oct. 20). Nelles and Birta Gudlaugsdottir also combined for ASU's first shutout vs. Grambling State (Sept. 14).
TRANSFERS
The Sun Devils welcomed two transfers to the program, Gabi Rennie and Hannah Leitner. Rennie, who had an assist in her Sun Devil debut vs. South Dakota State, joined the Sun Devils after starting her career at Indiana University. She also spent time with the New Zealand national team and scored a goal for them in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Rennie's role has increased as the season has progressed. She has played in 12 games and has been in the starting lineup in ASU's last two contests.
In her three seasons playing for New Mexico State, Leitner became the program's all-time career assists leader (12) and tied for eighth in career goals (nine). Like Rennie, Leitner has also played a more significant role as of late. Leitner, who scored her first goal as a Sun Devil in ASU's 2-0 win at Washington State (Oct. 20), has played in 10 games and has started ASU's last two games.
HOW WE GOT HERE
The Sun Devil soccer team's accomplishments over the first six weeks of the season included a five-game winning streak, the program's second 6-0-2 start in three seasons and its first 2-0 start in Pac-12 league play since 2007. In ASU's Pac-12 opener at Colorado (Sept. 23), Alexia Delgado scored the game's first goal and midfield teammate Eva van Deursen accounted for the other two, including the game-winner with three seconds remaining in ASU's dramatic, 3-2 win.
ASU started what most outside the state of California would consider to be the toughest possible four-game stretch in the Pac-12 with a come-from-behind win over Cal (2-1 on Sept. 29). For the second straight game, fifth-year seniors Delgado and van Deursen found the back of the net for the Sun Devils. Van Deursen's goal in the 73rd minute – assisted by Delgado and Lucy Johnson – gave the Sun Devils a lead they would not relinquish.
The Sun Devils had to deal with the bitter taste of defeat for the first time this season after it was not able to score a goal – also a first this season – in a 2-0 setback to current Stanford on Oct. 2. The Sun Devils were again held scoreless in a 4-0 loss at top-ranked UCLA on Oct. 6. ASU concluded the difficult string of games with a 2-1 loss at then-No. 8 USC on Oct. 9.
Heading into its game vs. Utah (Oct. 14), ASU was coming off its best half of soccer in the loss at USC. Freshman Enasia Colon's goal in the 48th minute cut ASU's two goal deficit in half. Although they were ultimately not able to score the equalizer, the Sun Devils' spirited play on both ends of the field resembled their performance in their last win against Cal on Sept. 29. Against the Utes, ASU had a pair of excellent scoring opportunities, but was not able to get on the board. The Sun Devils were outshot 13-4 in the second half but kept the Utes from scoring with phenomenal back-line play. The 61st and 71st minute saw heroic efforts from ASU defenders to keep the match scoreless. On both occasions, the last remaining Sun Devil defenders were tasked with making timely slides to shake the ball away from the attacker heading for a one-on-one with their goalkeeper. Freshman goalkeeper Pauline Nelles made a career-high nine saves to secure her second career clean sheet. Playing a big role in helping Nelles keep Utah off the scoreboard were senior Lieske Carleer, sophomore Lauren Kirberg and a trio of freshmen: Andrea Kraetzer, Meighan Farrell and Ava Wright.
A pair of Arizona natives, fifth-year senior Olivia Nguyen (sixth game-winning goal of her career) and New Mexico State transfer Hannah Leitner (first goal as a Sun Devil) provided all the scoring in ASU's 2-0 win at WSU (Oct. 20) to snap ASU's four-game winless streak. Nelles, added seven more saves vs. Washington State to post her second consecutive shutout. The Sun Devils nearly left the state of Washington with a sweep. Delgado's goal in the 14th minute gave the Sun Devils the early advantage, one they continued to maintain until the Huskies scored two goals in the space of 2:18 late in the game to come away with the 2-1 win.
WHEN: Thursday at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Sun Devil Soccer Stadium • Tempe, Ariz.
WATCH: ASU Live Stream
LIVE STATS: Click here
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil soccer team plays the first of three consecutive home games to end the regular season when it faces Oregon on Thursday (7 p.m.) at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. After Thursday's game, ASU will face Oregon State on Sunday at 1 p.m. before its annual contest with in-state rival Arizona next Friday at 7 p.m.
Sunday's 2-1 setback at Washington concluded a stretch in which the Sun Devils played four of five games on the road. Last weekend's road trip to Washington started with a 2-0 win at Washington State. A pair of Arizona natives, fifth-year senior Olivia Nguyen (sixth game-winning goal of her career) and New Mexico State transfer Hannah Leitner (first goal as a Sun Devil) provided all the scoring, while freshman goalkeeper Pauline Nelles, who made a career-high nine saves in ASU's scoreless tie vs. Utah (Oct. 14), added seven more saves vs. Washington State to post her second consecutive shutout.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• The Sun Devils (7-4-3, 3-4-1 Pac-12) are currently in a three-way tie for fifth place with Washington (9-4-3, 3-4-1) and Arizona (6-6-3, 3-4-1) in the Pac-12 standings. UCLA (15-1, 7-1 Pac-12) and Stanford (14-2-1, 7-1) are tied for first, USC follows in third place (9-2-3, 5-1-2) and Cal (9-4-4, 4-3-1) in fourth place. Washington State (8-4-4, 2-3-3, eighth place) follows the three teams tied for the fifth spot, Colorado (8-5-4, 2-4-2), Utah (6-4-2, 2-4-2) and Oregon (4-6-6, 2-4-2) are tied for ninth place and Oregon State 4-9-3, 0-7-1) rounds out the standings.
• In the all-important NCAA RPI, ASU started the week at No. 19, one of 11 Pac-12 teams ranked in the top 60. It was joined by UCLA (No. 1), Stanford (No. 10), USC (No. 33), Cal (No. 38), Arizona (No. 39), Oregon (No. 43), Washington State (No. 49), Washington (No. 51), Colorado (No. 54) and Utah (No. 57).
• ASU's two goals in its win at Washington State on Oct. 20 represented the first time ASU had scored multiple goals since its 2-1, come-from-behind win vs. Cal on Sept. 29. In the four games prior to the win over WSU, ASU scored one goal while going 0-3-1 averaging 4.2 goals per game during a five-game winning streak. The common dominator in the 0-3-1 stretch? Trying to score goals against the top four teams in the Pac-12 in goals against average (rankings prior to last week's road trip: UCLA (first in the Pac-12 and fifth in the nation), Stanford (second in the Pac-12, 16th in the nation), USC (third in the Pac-12) and Utah (fourth in the Pac-12).
• As of Oct. 26, ASU is among the top 50 teams in the nation in assists per game (2.29/20th), points per game (6.43/30th) and scoring (2.07 goals per game/46th).
• ASU has been led by returning All-American Nicole Douglas. Now the program's all-time career leader in goals (55), points (129) & game-winning goals (17), Douglas is currently 26th in the nation in goals per game (0.64), 32nd in shots on goal per game (1.79) and 36th in points per game (1.43).
• After not finding the back of the net in ASU's season opener vs. South Dakota State (Aug. 18), Douglas scored nine goals in ASU's next five games. In ASU's 5-0 win over Grambling State (Sept. 14), Douglas, who was named the Pac-12's offensive player of the week on Sept. 19, tied the school's single-game school record for goals (3) for the fourth time in her career. She has now scored multiple goals in a game 12 times in her career.
• Eva van Deursen (24 career assists) needs one assist to tie ASU Hall of Famer Stacy Tullock's school record of 25. Lucy Johnson, who has missed three games this season, currently leads ASU in assists in 2022 (7) and is three assists away from tying van Deursen's single-season record of 10 set last season.
• Prior to its loss vs. Stanford, ASU scored 21 goals during a five-game winning streak (6 vs. UAB, 5 vs. Grambling State and Toledo, 3 at Colorado and 2 vs. Cal). Douglas (6 goals), van Deursen (5 goals) and Delgado (4 goals) combined for 15 of those 21 goals. By the season's eighth game, Van Deursen and Delgado had already set new single-season career highs in goals. Delgado scored her fifth goal at Washington (Oct. 23).
• Both Lucy Johnson (vs. UAB) and Kennedy Mayo (vs. Toledo) have tied the single-game school record for assists (3).
SENIOR DAY ON SUNDAY
At the conclusion of Sunday's game vs. Oregon State, the Sun Devil soccer program will celebrate the careers of this year's senior class, one of the best in the history of the program: Fifth-year seniors Alexia Delgado, Nicole Douglas, Olivia Nguyen and Eva van Deursen and Giulia Cascapera, Callie Darst and Tahlia Herman-Watt. The program's NCAA appearance in 2020 (played in the Spring of 2021), the program's first since 2014, and three winning seasons – including a pair of 10-win campaigns – are among the most notable of the several accomplishments of this year's class.
SERIES NOTES VS OREGON
Neither team has claimed superiority over the other in recent years... The three meetings prior to Oregon's 1-0 win last season in Eugene: ASU 2-1 in 2OT in Eugene in 2018, Oregon 1-0 in 2019 in Tempe, 1-1 in Eugene in 2020 (played in the spring of 2021)... Last season's meeting in Eugene (14th game of the season) was the first time in 2021 the Sun Devils failed to score a goal, despite having statistical advantages of 11-6 in shots and 8-1 in shots on goal.
GREAT CULTURE EQUALS GREAT SUCCESS
The fact the ASU did not encounter a loss until the season's ninth game is a testament to the team's focus and leadership. Both of its opening weekend contests were affected by weather. ASU's opening game, 1-1 tie vs. 2021 NCAA Tournament participant South Dakota State, started on the night of Aug. 18 and finished on the morning of Aug. 19. Keri Matthews' first career goal tied the game at 1-1 on Aug. 19 after SDSU took the lead the previous night. ASU's next scheduled contest vs. Hawai'i (Aug. 21) was canceled (lightning).
ASU was able to start and finish its first road contest, a 2-1 win at Boise State (Aug. 25) without any unusual stoppages. However, weather issues once again came into play – a 50-minute lightning delay before the start of the second half – in ASU's 1-1 tie at Denver (Aug. 28).
ASU returned home and scored its most goals since the 2021 season opener in a 6-2 win over UAB (Sept. 1). It then went 13 days without playing a game after their home contests vs. Georgia Southern (Sept. 4) & Pepperdine (Sept. 8) were canceled (Covid-19 protocols).
ASU returned from the extended break with a pair of 5-0 wins over Grambling State (Sept. 14) & vs. Toledo (Sept. 18) before opening Pac-12 play with a dramatic, 3-2 win at Colorado (Sept. 23) and a come-from-behind, 2-1 win over Cal.
Again, it proved its mettle, ending a four-game winless streak (0-3-1) with a 2-0 win at Washington State (Oct. 20).
During the Covid season of 2020 (played in the spring of 2021), ASU made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014 and was just short of making its first Sweet 16 after falling to Duke in 2OT. Last season, ASU still managed to post a double-digit win total (10) despite having to play 22 different players in the starting lineup due to an unlucky spate of injuries.
MAKING HISTORY
All eyes have been focused 2021 NCAA scoring leader Nicole Douglas, who earned Third-Team All-America honors in 2021 and was one of 13 players named to the All-Pac-12 First Team. The first Sun Devil to earn All-America honors since 2002, in 2021 Douglas set single-season school records for goals (19/No. 1 in the nation) and points (45). She also led the nation in goals per game (0.95) and points per game (2.25).
On Sept. 1, 2022, Douglas became ASU's all-time leader in career goals after scoring twice in ASU's 6-2 win over UAB. Douglas tied and then and passed Sun Devil Hall of Famer Stacey Tullock (50 goals/1998-2001) vs. UAB. On Sept. 14 vs. Grambling State, Douglas became ASU's new career leader in points (126/54 goals and 18 assists) and game-winning goals (17), passing Tullock in both categories Grambling State (Sept. 14).
Douglas, who has started all 85 games in her career, accounted for a goal or assist in all but five games last season and had a stretch in which she scored at least one goal in seven straight games. She has scored multiple goals in a game 12x in her career and has tied the single-game school record for goals (3) on four occasions – most recently in ASU's 5-0 win over Grambling State (Sept. 14) – and the single-game record for assists (3) once.
On Aug. 18, it was announced Douglas was one of 60 players on the 2022 Hermann Trophy Watch List. Presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club, the Hermann Trophy is the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year.
CHASING HISTORY
Also within reach of breaking a program career record is fifth-year midfielder Eva van Deursen (24 career assists/second place), who needs two assists to become ASU's all-time leader. Tullock (first place/25 assists/1998-2001) holds the school record. Van Deursen has already accounted for a single-season, career-high five goals and four assists this season. She scored two goals, including the game-winning goal with three seconds remaining in ASU's 3-2 win at Colorado (Sept. 23) and followed with another game-winner in the 73rd minute of ASU's 2-1 win over Cal (Sept. 29). Van Deursen was named to the College Soccer News Women's National Team of the Week for the week ending Sept. 25.
In 2021, van Deursen set the school's single-season assists record with 10 in addition to scoring three goals. At season's end, van Deursen led the Pac-12 and was No. 19 in the nation in assists per game (0.56). She tied her single-game career high in assists (two) twice in ASU's wins at UAB (Aug. 29) and vs. Utah (Oct. 31).
HOW'S THIS FOR EXPERIENCE?
ASU returned a quartet of fifth-year players in the form of forwards Nicole Douglas (85 games/85 starts) and Olivia Nguyen (75 games/48 starts, including 47 starts in her last 51 games since start of her junior season) and midfielders Alexia Delgado (78 games/71 starts) and Eva van Deursen (83 games/78 starts). The four players have combined for 21 goals and 11 assists this season – Douglas (9G/2A), van Deursen (5G/4A), Delgado (5G/3A) and Nguyen (2G/2A) – and collectively have amassed 321 games played, including 282 starts.
The Sun Devils also return two other players with more than 60 games of experience: senior defender Lieske Carleer (64 games/63 starts) and senior defender/midfielder Callie Darst (61 starts in 68 career games). Although this is her first season with ASU, New Mexico State transfer Hannah Leitner has played in 59 games (43 starts). A starter in ASU's last two games, Leitner scored her first goal as a Sun Devil in ASU's 2-0 win at Washington State (Oct. 20).
Juniors Lucy Johnson (started eight of nine games she's played in 2022) and Jazmine Wilkinson (starts in eight of 13 games she has played in 2022), have also provided the team with important contributions this season. Johnson, who tied the single-game school record for assists (3) vs. UAB on Sept. 1, currently has a team-high seven assists and Wilkinson has accounted for one goal and one assist.
THEY MAY BE YOUNG, BUT THEY CAN PLAY
The Sun Devils have also relied on a number of freshmen and sophomores, who have contributed to ASU's success this season.
Sophomore forwards Keri Matthews and Kennedy Mayo have provided the opposition with additional scoring options to be aware of on its scouting reports. Matthews has scored a pair of goals to go with one assist. Mayo proved how dangerous she can be, accounting for a goal and a single-game, school record-tying three assists in ASU's 5-0 win vs. Toledo (Sept. 18). On the defensive end, Lauren Kirberg has provided the Sun Devils with several solid efforts on what has become a younger back line as the season has progressed.
The versatility of Fr. Enasia Colon – can play in the midfield or up top – has been a plus for the Sun Devils this season. She has played in all 14 games with five starts and has scored a pair of goals to go with four assists (tied for fourth on the team).
On the back line, Sun Devil freshmen and sophomores have all risen to the challenge when their number has been called: Fr. Andrea Kraetzer has played in all 14 games (12 starts), Fr. Meighan Farrell has played in 13 games (six starts, including last four contests), Fr. Ava Wright has played in 12 games (10 starts), So. Lauren Kirberg has played in 12 games (five starts).
Fr. GK Pauline Nelles was not available week one as she was still competing with the German National Team at the U20 World Cup in Costa Rica. She has since started the last 13 games and on Sept. 18, Nelles earned her first complete game shutout vs. Toledo. She had her second and made a career-high nine saves in ASU's 0-0 tie vs. Utah (Oct. 14) and added a third in ASU's 2-0 win at WSU (Oct. 20). Nelles and Birta Gudlaugsdottir also combined for ASU's first shutout vs. Grambling State (Sept. 14).
TRANSFERS
The Sun Devils welcomed two transfers to the program, Gabi Rennie and Hannah Leitner. Rennie, who had an assist in her Sun Devil debut vs. South Dakota State, joined the Sun Devils after starting her career at Indiana University. She also spent time with the New Zealand national team and scored a goal for them in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Rennie's role has increased as the season has progressed. She has played in 12 games and has been in the starting lineup in ASU's last two contests.
In her three seasons playing for New Mexico State, Leitner became the program's all-time career assists leader (12) and tied for eighth in career goals (nine). Like Rennie, Leitner has also played a more significant role as of late. Leitner, who scored her first goal as a Sun Devil in ASU's 2-0 win at Washington State (Oct. 20), has played in 10 games and has started ASU's last two games.
HOW WE GOT HERE
The Sun Devil soccer team's accomplishments over the first six weeks of the season included a five-game winning streak, the program's second 6-0-2 start in three seasons and its first 2-0 start in Pac-12 league play since 2007. In ASU's Pac-12 opener at Colorado (Sept. 23), Alexia Delgado scored the game's first goal and midfield teammate Eva van Deursen accounted for the other two, including the game-winner with three seconds remaining in ASU's dramatic, 3-2 win.
ASU started what most outside the state of California would consider to be the toughest possible four-game stretch in the Pac-12 with a come-from-behind win over Cal (2-1 on Sept. 29). For the second straight game, fifth-year seniors Delgado and van Deursen found the back of the net for the Sun Devils. Van Deursen's goal in the 73rd minute – assisted by Delgado and Lucy Johnson – gave the Sun Devils a lead they would not relinquish.
The Sun Devils had to deal with the bitter taste of defeat for the first time this season after it was not able to score a goal – also a first this season – in a 2-0 setback to current Stanford on Oct. 2. The Sun Devils were again held scoreless in a 4-0 loss at top-ranked UCLA on Oct. 6. ASU concluded the difficult string of games with a 2-1 loss at then-No. 8 USC on Oct. 9.
Heading into its game vs. Utah (Oct. 14), ASU was coming off its best half of soccer in the loss at USC. Freshman Enasia Colon's goal in the 48th minute cut ASU's two goal deficit in half. Although they were ultimately not able to score the equalizer, the Sun Devils' spirited play on both ends of the field resembled their performance in their last win against Cal on Sept. 29. Against the Utes, ASU had a pair of excellent scoring opportunities, but was not able to get on the board. The Sun Devils were outshot 13-4 in the second half but kept the Utes from scoring with phenomenal back-line play. The 61st and 71st minute saw heroic efforts from ASU defenders to keep the match scoreless. On both occasions, the last remaining Sun Devil defenders were tasked with making timely slides to shake the ball away from the attacker heading for a one-on-one with their goalkeeper. Freshman goalkeeper Pauline Nelles made a career-high nine saves to secure her second career clean sheet. Playing a big role in helping Nelles keep Utah off the scoreboard were senior Lieske Carleer, sophomore Lauren Kirberg and a trio of freshmen: Andrea Kraetzer, Meighan Farrell and Ava Wright.
A pair of Arizona natives, fifth-year senior Olivia Nguyen (sixth game-winning goal of her career) and New Mexico State transfer Hannah Leitner (first goal as a Sun Devil) provided all the scoring in ASU's 2-0 win at WSU (Oct. 20) to snap ASU's four-game winless streak. Nelles, added seven more saves vs. Washington State to post her second consecutive shutout. The Sun Devils nearly left the state of Washington with a sweep. Delgado's goal in the 14th minute gave the Sun Devils the early advantage, one they continued to maintain until the Huskies scored two goals in the space of 2:18 late in the game to come away with the 2-1 win.