Sun Devils take down the Cowgirls in their home opener

(Photo: Steve Rodriguez/ASU Athletics)

The Arizona State women’s soccer team beat Oklahoma State 2-0 on Friday night, with freshman Aly Moon scoring her first goal in Sun Devil Soccer Stadium and her fifth on the season.

In the 56th minute, Cali Farquharson’s shot from 21 yards out was deflected off OSU goalkeeper Rosa Medina and landed at the feet of Moon – who scored on the play just outside the six-yard box.

“It’s special to be home and to score a goal,” Moon said. “But a game is a game, and you have to go out and play hard every game.”

In the 65th minute, Lucy Lara extended ASU’s lead to 2-0. Her free kick from 19 yards out traveled under the wall and between the posts.

“I was kind of nervous because Cali [Farquharson] was working on her free kicks in the beginning of the game,” Lara said. “I took really bad ones, and she was like, ‘No dude, you got it. You got it. I feel like you’re going to score right now. Just drill it. Just drill it.’

Lara said she knew the wall was going to jump and wanted to hit low. “So if it hits them, it hits them,” she said.

Center back McKenzie Berryhill – 2013 All-Pac-12 Second Team member – was injured during training earlier in the week and is a game-time decision for Sunday’s matchup against No. 6 Texas A&M, head coach Kevin Boyd said.

Sophomore defender McKenzie Grossman filled in for Berryhill at center back to help seal the shutout.

Boyd was pleased with Grossman’s performance and said the defense’s effort to make adjustments in second half was excellent.

“When you’re getting that from players on the field, you can really start improving fast,” Boyd said.

Game Notes:

-Arizona State controlled 54 percent of the possession in the game.

-Oklahoma State defenders blocked four shots in the first half – three on corner kicks.

-ASU shooters struggled to hit the ball around Medina but took 11 more shots than the Cowgirls.

-Chandler Morris recorded five saves and a clean sheet.

Game Highlights:

-36^th minute: Grossman is fouled while clearing the ball in the box during an Oklahoma State counter attack.

-53^rd minute: Farquharson dribbled one quarter of the right side of the field but her shot fell into the stomach of Medina.

-56^th minute: Moon scored on the rebound of Farquharson’s shot.

-65^th minute: Lara scored from a free kick.

-71^st minute: Midfielder Brianna Gonzalez’s header from the back post sails just over the crossbar on Lara’s corner kick.

Next Game:

Arizona State vs. Texas A&M at 11 a.m., at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium

You can reach Anthony Prosceno via e-mail at aproscen@asu.edu or on Twitter at @The_A_Pro.

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