TEMPE – Coming off the first home loss of the season on Thursday, Sun Devil Soccer responded with a strong 3-1 win over Cincinnati on Sunday night at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
"I felt today was, for the most part, a very controlled performance," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We showed excellent composure and patience in the first half and were never threatened defensively at all. I was very happy with the goal which was created from some lovely football. Kets (Ella Kettles) was absolutely everywhere. One of her teammates compared her to N'Golo Kante, which I think is a huge compliment."
Arizona State (7-2-3, 2-2-1 Big 12) patiently worked through Cincinnati's (5-6-1, 1-4-0 Big 12) defensive formation, which was content with limiting the home side's chances in the early moments of the game. The Sun Devil broke through in the 22nd minute when Enasia Colon headed home her sixth goal of the season. Meighan Farrell started the chance with service for Kierra Blundell in the penalty area, where the freshman was able to create some separation for the cross to Colon.
Neither team had a shot on goal for the remainder of the opening half, but ASU quickly doubled its advantage in the second half with a goal from Cameron Valladares in the 49th minute. Farrell again ignited the scoring chance with a cross to Colon at the top of the box. Her first touch carried directly to the foot of a streaking Valladares, who finished her fifth goal of the season.
Colon picked up her second assist and fourth point of the game in the 61st minute as her delivery of a free kick found Grace Gillard in the box. Gillard outjumped the Bearcats' defender and headed the ball home for a 3-0 lead and her first goal as a Sun Devil.
Cincinnati avoided the shutout when Ellie Flower scored in the 86th minute on what turned out to be the final shot of the evening.
Winkworth added, "The second half was strange. We scored two lovely goals, with one of them being from a set piece which was nice. I did not feel we created enough this half, and our decision-making in the final third as to when to cross, dribble, and pass could have been better. We also needed to keep the same level of composure in possession in the later stages of the match that we showed in the early parts."
ASU totaled 14 shots overall, with five of those being on goal. Valladares led the way with five shots while Colon added three. Cincinnati held a 3-1 edge in corner kicks and committed 11 fouls to the seven from the Sun Devils.
Pauline Nelles made two saves in securing her seventh win of the season.
Winkworth concluded, "Overall, the most important thing is we picked up three important points. The girls worked hard and gave a great effort. As the game unfolded we were able to rotate the squad heavily and provide additional opportunities for some players, giving important rest for others. Utah are next, and they are an incredibly talented team. We will really need to be at our very best on Friday, and I look forward to the challenge for the team."
Now tied for sixth in the Big 12 standings, nearing the halfway point of the season, ASU will return to action on Friday when they host Utah at 7 p.m. in the finale of this current three-game homestand.
"I felt today was, for the most part, a very controlled performance," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We showed excellent composure and patience in the first half and were never threatened defensively at all. I was very happy with the goal which was created from some lovely football. Kets (Ella Kettles) was absolutely everywhere. One of her teammates compared her to N'Golo Kante, which I think is a huge compliment."
Arizona State (7-2-3, 2-2-1 Big 12) patiently worked through Cincinnati's (5-6-1, 1-4-0 Big 12) defensive formation, which was content with limiting the home side's chances in the early moments of the game. The Sun Devil broke through in the 22nd minute when Enasia Colon headed home her sixth goal of the season. Meighan Farrell started the chance with service for Kierra Blundell in the penalty area, where the freshman was able to create some separation for the cross to Colon.
Neither team had a shot on goal for the remainder of the opening half, but ASU quickly doubled its advantage in the second half with a goal from Cameron Valladares in the 49th minute. Farrell again ignited the scoring chance with a cross to Colon at the top of the box. Her first touch carried directly to the foot of a streaking Valladares, who finished her fifth goal of the season.
Colon picked up her second assist and fourth point of the game in the 61st minute as her delivery of a free kick found Grace Gillard in the box. Gillard outjumped the Bearcats' defender and headed the ball home for a 3-0 lead and her first goal as a Sun Devil.
Cincinnati avoided the shutout when Ellie Flower scored in the 86th minute on what turned out to be the final shot of the evening.
Winkworth added, "The second half was strange. We scored two lovely goals, with one of them being from a set piece which was nice. I did not feel we created enough this half, and our decision-making in the final third as to when to cross, dribble, and pass could have been better. We also needed to keep the same level of composure in possession in the later stages of the match that we showed in the early parts."
ASU totaled 14 shots overall, with five of those being on goal. Valladares led the way with five shots while Colon added three. Cincinnati held a 3-1 edge in corner kicks and committed 11 fouls to the seven from the Sun Devils.
Pauline Nelles made two saves in securing her seventh win of the season.
Winkworth concluded, "Overall, the most important thing is we picked up three important points. The girls worked hard and gave a great effort. As the game unfolded we were able to rotate the squad heavily and provide additional opportunities for some players, giving important rest for others. Utah are next, and they are an incredibly talented team. We will really need to be at our very best on Friday, and I look forward to the challenge for the team."
Now tied for sixth in the Big 12 standings, nearing the halfway point of the season, ASU will return to action on Friday when they host Utah at 7 p.m. in the finale of this current three-game homestand.