TEMPE – Sun Devil Soccer set the tone early and secured the first win of the season in dominating fashion Sunday evening, downing Wagner 6-0 at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Four different players scored, and the visitors were held to just one shot attempt.
"Tonight was a great night of soccer," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We rotated the squad heavily, and quite a few of the girls are giving me good headaches as a coach."
Arizona State (1-0-1) controlled the action from the start with four shots in the first 11 minutes. They broke through in the 17th minute as Cameron Valladares controlled a cross from Keri Matthews with one touch and finished her strike from the top of the six-yard box for her first goal as a Sun Devil.
The Sun Devils didn't waste much time adding on as Megan Sofield tallied her first ASU goal in dynamic fashion in the 20th minute. Sofield's first touch was a flick over her head to create space before blasting a shot from the top of the penalty area that left no chance for the keeper.
Enasia Colon joined the scoring party with a pair of goals in the 34th and 36th minutes. The first came on a counter attack that she finished with the left foot from inside the area after receiving a feed from Kierra Blundell. Colon completed the brace when Addison Haws found her in space for a shot from 30 yards out that cleared a leaping keeper for a 4-0 ASU advantage.
Blundell made it 5-0 seconds before halftime when she took a touch with her heel that put the ball over her head and onto the left foot, where she ripped a shot for her second goal in as many games. The final goal came in the 66th minute as Sofield converted a penalty she had drawn by creating separation from a sliding defender.
Winkworth added," Some of the goals we scored tonight were top-class. I am delighted that Megs, Ena and Cam all opened their accounts for the season, and it was also great for KB to continue her scoring run."
ASU scored six or more goals for the 11th time in program history. The six goals are the most scored by the team since a 6-1 win over UAB on Sept. 1, 2022. That was also the last time the Sun Devils scored five goals in a half.
The Sun Devils managed 24 shots overall, with 12 of the 21 players making an appearance attempting at least one. Sofield led the way with six shots and four of the team's 14 shots on goal. ASU held 65 percent of possession and held Wagner (0-1-1) to only one shot.
More from Winkworth, "I was delighted to keep a clean sheet. We defended set pieces well and won our headers at critical times. After a nervous opening to the match, I felt that we showed more composure and confidence in possession tonight. I was impressed with Ella O and Kez and the increased level of calmness they showed when in possession. Ella also won her headers tonight which is an area I am very proud of her for."
Pauline Nelles picked up her 20th career win and 13th career shutout in goal.
"Overall, there were more positives than negatives in our performance, but I have already identified a few areas in which we must improve both sides of the ball as we move forward," Winkworth concluded.
The Sun Devils are back in action on Thursday when they close this three-game homestand to open the season by hosting Little Rock at 7 p.m.
"Tonight was a great night of soccer," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We rotated the squad heavily, and quite a few of the girls are giving me good headaches as a coach."
Arizona State (1-0-1) controlled the action from the start with four shots in the first 11 minutes. They broke through in the 17th minute as Cameron Valladares controlled a cross from Keri Matthews with one touch and finished her strike from the top of the six-yard box for her first goal as a Sun Devil.
The Sun Devils didn't waste much time adding on as Megan Sofield tallied her first ASU goal in dynamic fashion in the 20th minute. Sofield's first touch was a flick over her head to create space before blasting a shot from the top of the penalty area that left no chance for the keeper.
Enasia Colon joined the scoring party with a pair of goals in the 34th and 36th minutes. The first came on a counter attack that she finished with the left foot from inside the area after receiving a feed from Kierra Blundell. Colon completed the brace when Addison Haws found her in space for a shot from 30 yards out that cleared a leaping keeper for a 4-0 ASU advantage.
Blundell made it 5-0 seconds before halftime when she took a touch with her heel that put the ball over her head and onto the left foot, where she ripped a shot for her second goal in as many games. The final goal came in the 66th minute as Sofield converted a penalty she had drawn by creating separation from a sliding defender.
KB getting in her GROOVE ??#ForksUp /// #Onward pic.twitter.com/4AMxnWCrEg
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) August 19, 2024
Winkworth added," Some of the goals we scored tonight were top-class. I am delighted that Megs, Ena and Cam all opened their accounts for the season, and it was also great for KB to continue her scoring run."
ASU scored six or more goals for the 11th time in program history. The six goals are the most scored by the team since a 6-1 win over UAB on Sept. 1, 2022. That was also the last time the Sun Devils scored five goals in a half.
The Sun Devils managed 24 shots overall, with 12 of the 21 players making an appearance attempting at least one. Sofield led the way with six shots and four of the team's 14 shots on goal. ASU held 65 percent of possession and held Wagner (0-1-1) to only one shot.
More from Winkworth, "I was delighted to keep a clean sheet. We defended set pieces well and won our headers at critical times. After a nervous opening to the match, I felt that we showed more composure and confidence in possession tonight. I was impressed with Ella O and Kez and the increased level of calmness they showed when in possession. Ella also won her headers tonight which is an area I am very proud of her for."
Pauline Nelles picked up her 20th career win and 13th career shutout in goal.
"Overall, there were more positives than negatives in our performance, but I have already identified a few areas in which we must improve both sides of the ball as we move forward," Winkworth concluded.
The Sun Devils are back in action on Thursday when they close this three-game homestand to open the season by hosting Little Rock at 7 p.m.