Soccer begins home-stand with 1-0 clean sheet win over New Mexico State
Sun Devil Soccer rounds out the month of August with their best start to a season since 2021
TEMPE – Returning home for the first time in three matches, Sun Devil Soccer recorded its second consecutive shutout over New Mexico State with a 1-0 victory Sunday Night at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in front of 1,305 fans.
Halfway through the first half, midfielder Peyton Marcisz scored the lone goal of the match with a laser off her left foot that found the upper right corner of the goal, which put ASU (4-0-1) ahead 1-0 over New Mexico State (1-5-0) before the half. It’s Marcisz second goal of the season, both coming at home.
ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL 👏 Peyton with the first goal of the game!
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) September 1, 2025
23’ ASU 1 | NM STATE 0 pic.twitter.com/t4uHSPKTRO
The goal was all the Sun Devils needed as Senior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles held her end of the field with four saves and her 21st career clean sheet wearing the Maroon and Gold.
"I was happy with the result today. The first half, I felt we were a little sloppy in possession but we really cleaned that up in the second half," said head coach Graham Winkworth. "Peyton’s finish was top class and deserved to be the match winner. Pauli pulled off an important save and is a perfect example of what top keepers can do when they have not been busy in the game."
The victory marked the team's 18th victory in August dating back to 2018, where the Sun Devils have a remarkable 18-0-7 mark, going unbeaten in August for the sixth straight season, excluding the 2020 season which was played in the spring of 2021.
"I think we need to work on our decision making in the final 3rd and the quality of our final pass and shot. I did like how much we controlled the game in the second half. I think (Ella) Kettles had a great game doing the part of the game that many people don’t notice. She ran like mad all game and broke up the opponents play lots." said Winkworth.
The Sun Devils had quality chances to extend their lead with shots on goal by Addison Haws, Addison Baltodano and Cameron Valladares before the end of the first half.
In the second half the Sun Devils had 10 shots compared to the Aggies 2 attempts in the final 45-minutes. The best chance the Aggies had was on a breakaway, but veteran goalkeeper Pauline Nelles deflected the shot off her left glove to keep the Sun Devil lead.
ASU complimented the team’s defensive efforts which held the Aggies to six shots compared to ASU’s 17, six of those came on goal. Nelles held her end of the field with four saves and her 21st career clean sheet wearing the Maroon and Gold.
Valladores led the team with four shot attempts, one coming on goal and added her fifth assist of the season, her fifth straight match recording a point. The senior is tied for first in the Big 12 for assists this season.
Added Winkworth, "I would also like to thank the 1305 fans that showed up tonight. Attendances for the first 2 home matches are up 110% from last season and I really hope that they will show back up on Thursday and Sunday as we continue our run of home matches."
Defender Izzy Monck had three shot attempts, Sierra Bergen recorded two shot attempts and Ella Kettles had two shot attempts, each having one shot on goal in the match.
The Sun Devils continue their home stand Thursday against Pepperdine at 7 p.m. MST, then against Denver at 10 a.m. MST at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Both matches can be seen on ESPN+
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.