Sun Devil soccer takes care of Oregon

(Photo: Steve Rodriguez/ ASU Athletics)

Five days removed from the biggest win in school history, the Arizona State women’s soccer team kept rolling Friday night with a 1-0 win over Oregon.

In the 71^st minute forward Sara Tosti connected with a header off a corner kick from Holland Crook, giving the Sun Devils their lone goal on the night. The goal was Tosti’s second in two games, as she also had the game winner for the Sun Devils in a monumental win over Stanford last Sunday.

“We put a lot of effort into our corners, and [had] a lot of discussions about getting better on sets especially at this time of the year when it’s so important,” head coach Kevin Boyd said. “It came into the back and Devin (Marshall) headed it right back across to the near [post] and Tosti headed it in with some power.”

On a chilly, 54 degree night in Eugene, Arizona State and Oregon engaged in what was largely a defensive struggle.

“That was too close for comfort,” Boyd said. “I actually thought that was a very even game. I thought Oregon played quite well.”

Oregon has not allowed more than two goals all season and has yet to lose a game by more than one goal. Coming into the night, junior goalkeeper Abby Steele led the Pac-12 with 56 saves on the season.

The stifling Ducks defense continued its dominance Friday night, as defenders Reilley Moore and Gabbie Lindeman anchored the back line and only allowed four shots on goal by the potent Sun Devils offense.

One of those shots came off the foot of forward Cali Farquharson in the 20^th minute. Farquharson fired a shot towards the lower right corner in what looked to be a sure goal, but Steele made an incredible diving save.

After seeing Arizona State control possession much of the first half, Oregon came out of the gates with a much more energetic mentality. Oregon would even the possession in the second half, but their scoring woes continued. Oregon did outshoot Arizona State with seven shots, yet the Sun Devils’ lead never seemed in jeopardy.

“Oregon put us under tremendous pressure in the last 10 minutes of the game,” Boyd said. “I thought we did a very good job of staying with marks, getting tight, and battling for everything…we just made it hard for them.”

The Sun Devils have won two of their first three games on their five-game stint away from Tempe. Arizona State will remain in Oregon, as they travel north to take on Oregon St. this Sunday.