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Three Sun Devils score in shutout win at UNLV

Arizona State saw six different players record a point to put a stamp on a 2-0-1 record over a three-game road trip.

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Three Sun Devils score in shutout win at UNLVThree Sun Devils score in shutout win at UNLV
Sun Devil Athletics
by Danny Sullivan
Box Score

LAS VEGAS  – Sun Devil Soccer turned in yet another clean sheet victory by taking down UNLV 3-0 on Thursday night at Peter Johann Memorial Field in Las Vegas. 

Arizona State (3-0-1) saw six different players record a point as the team completed a three-game road trip, going 2-0-1 in that stretch after tonight’s decisive win over UNLV (0-3-1). 

"Today was special because of the fans that made the trip up from Tempe. To have students willing to travel that distance to support the team means the world to us and I want to personally thank them all for helping to create a fun atmosphere on the road," said head coach Graham Winkworth

With the win in front of the well-traveled Sun Devil faithful, the team now claims a 17-0-7 record in the month of August since 2018.

ASU struck first by way of a highlight-reel goal from senior Tatum Thomason just 11 minutes into the action and didn’t look back from there. 

In Thomason’s 50th career start, the forward netted a goal in back-to-back contests for the second time in her career between Washington and ASU. The early-game strike marked the 10th goal in her career.

"Today was one of those days where I was happy with the result, but a little disappointed with the performance. The first half, outside of a beautiful effort from Tatum, I do not feel we showed enough quality in possession," said Winkworth.

 "Areas where we have shown so much quality in the previous 3 games were not to the same standards that the girls have demonstrated. We really missed Miki (Hayashi) at times today as she offers so much quality in possession," he added. 

After the Thomason goal, the Sun Devils and Rebels went back-and-forth the rest of the first half, with ASU ahead 1-0 going into the break. 

"We had a good heart to heart as a team at halftime. We talked about what it means to wear the maroon and gold and that we needed more quality in the second half. I was blown away from the emotional response the girls gave. We scored 2 very good goals which really ended the game. I was proud of the efforts the girls put in," said Winkworth.

Almost right on cue, the second half started with a bang. Transfer senior Izzy Monck buried home her first goal in the Maroon and Gold at 47’, extending the lead to 2-0.

Moments later, freshman Adrielle Mibe found her way onto the statsheet with her first career NCAA goal at 50’, just three minutes after Monck’s goal to make it 3-0.

"I think we made some poor decisions in the match and on another day those choices could cost us. It was not a particularly physical game but we gave up 13 fouls. Some of these were needless and allowed UNLV to either get out of pressure or apply pressure to our back line. We must make better choices in these moments," added Winkworth. "I will say that I am delighted that the goals continue to come from a variety of people within the team and once again we had 2 more new goal scorers tonight. This is very encouraging."

Senior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles was as advertised, recording her second clean sheet of the season in a milestone shutout. The 20th career shutout for Nelles now makes her the second keeper in program history to record such a feat, joining Chandler Morris (2011-2015, 24 shutouts) in the exclusive club.

Additionally, the win marked the 30th career win for Nelles, which now ties Kim Bingham (2003-06) for the third most in program history.

Midfielder Cam Vallardes continued her red-hot efforts as she extended her career-best point streak to now four games after recording an assist tonight at 50’. 

Nelles, Vallardes and company will look to keep the momentum rolling as ASU returns home to Sun Devil Soccer Stadium on Sunday night for a battle with New Mexico State at 7:00 p.m. MST, which will be the first of seven-straight home matches.

"We cannot wait to get back home now for a period of home matches where hopefully we can fill Sun Devil Soccer Stadium," Winkworth concluded. 

Be sure to stay connected with Sun Devil Soccer throughout the season on social media by following @SunDevilSoccer on Instagram, X , Facebook and sundevils.com.