Sun Devil Soccer takes down SFA

(Photo: Steve Rodriguez/ ASU athletics)

The Arizona State soccer team closed out their Texas road trip with a 3-1 victory over Stephen F. Austin State University on Sunday.

“It’s a hard place to play. This was a tough road trip for us,” head coach Kevin Boyd said. “We did a good job of going and finding a second goal and then a third goal, and once we had the third goal the game was done, both teams knew it.”

Sun Devil forward Cali Farquharson continued her productive 2013 campaign by scoring two goals. She kicked the scoring off in the 20th minute, and then closed out the game with a goal in the 85th minute. She now has four goals on the season, and has scored in six straight games.

“Cali just put the nail in the coffin when she went and got the third one,” Boyd said.

The Lady Jacks had multiple opportunities to tie the game up early in the second half. However, Sun Devil forward Devin Marshall gave ASU some breathing room when she found the back of the net in the 80th minute.

“In the second half they came out and they were after us for a little while,” Boyd said. “We’re happy that our offensive came alive in the second half a little bit better.”

The goal was Marshall’s first goal of the season. She was the Sun Devils’ second leading goal scorer last year.

“Right before she scored I told her, ‘Devin go find your goal,’ and she looked dead tired,” Boyd said. “But right within the minute she got the goal.”

The Sun Devils were 20 seconds away from recording their second shutout of the season, but the Lady Jacks were able to sneak a shot past goalkeeper Chandler Morris from outside the box.

“I’m a little unhappy because I thought we should have had the 3-0 win. We should have had the shut out,” Boyd said.

The win was a big statement for the Sun Devils, since the Ladyjacks had received two top-25 votes in the NSCAA poll. Arizona State only received one top-25 vote going into the weekend.

The team will next host the Sun Devil Classic Tournament from Friday to Sunday. ASU will face Kansas on Friday, and Illinois on Sunday. The University of Arizona will also play in the tournament.