(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
The Sun Devils finished their non-conference slate on top with a 1-0 win against Weber State Sunday afternoon.
It was a long game with breaks and tension throughout, both probably caused by the 105-degree weather.
The Sun Devils were trying to dominate the flanks right from the start, using both their forwards and wingbacks to cross the ball into the box.
“Second half we put in good balls. The first half we were feeding the goalkeeper catching practice,” head coach Graham Winkworth said about the productivity from the wings.
And in the second half the crosses were indeed a lot better. The Sun Devils got opportunity after opportunity and finally capitalized in the 61st minute from a cross by Jemma Purfield, who put the ball by the near post where freshman Nicole Douglas neatly tapped it in pass the goalkeeper.
“I got the ball and I knew I was one-on-one and been told to get out (on the flank) one-on-one. I flicked it pass the defenders legs and got around her, put the ball in and I know when I got a quality center forward like Nicole Douglas running towards the ball, it’s going in the back of the net.”
It was Douglas’ fifth goal of the season, the most by any freshman so far in the Pac-12.
Everything certainly seemed to come together for the Sun Devils in the second half. After the goal it never really seemed like the Wildcats would be able to equalize. ASU consistently kept possession on Weber’s third and took chances only when they felt comfortable.
“They’re one of the most well organized teams we’ve played so far this season,” Winkworth said. “In the first half I felt like we were too impatient in trying to get a goal too quickly, and in the second half we were a little bit more patient and because of that we created more quality chances.”
The defense was also a key for ASU in the match. The Sun Devils went back to goalkeeper Sydney Day who commanded the field well and didn’t have much trouble throughout the match with centerbacks Angela Boyle and Maddison Wolf both producing strong games.
The defense also received help from Kylie Minnifield, who held a holding midfield position through most of the match and communicated well with the defense to create a strong backline and keep the Wildcats from creating to any real offensive threats.
“Sometimes we need two (defensive midfielders) to give us a little bit more stability but Minnie runs enough for two people, so we could play with just one and that enabled Alexia (Delgado) and Eva (Van Deursen) to get a little bit further forward today,” said Winkworth.
The Sun Devils will move into conference play with three solid wins in their last three matches and a lot of confidence. However, the tough Pac-12 will have a lot more quality competition and will certainly be a challenge for this Sun Devil squad.
ASU’s first conference match will be against California at Berkeley next Saturday at 1 p.m.
