ASU soccer continued their momentum from Sunday’s 4-0 win over Weber State defeating Oregon State 2-1 Friday in their Pac-12 opener.
ASU soccer started Pac-12 play exactly like they wanted to defeating Oregon State 2-1 thanks to two second half goals from winger Jemma Purfield and midfielder Christina Edwards.
After the Sun Devils outshot the Beavers 12-2 in the first half with no goals, Purfield scored the breakthrough goal in the 51st minute on a pass from forward Jazmarie Mader for Purfield’s third goal of the season.
Arizona State would double their lead on an unassisted, long-distance goal from Edwards in the 81st minute that was smashed off the bar and landing across the goal line before ricocheting out.
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Edwards had to pause her celebration as she awaited confirmation from the assistant referee.
“I originally did not think it went in,” Edwards said. “I thought I was premature in celebration, which would have been extremely embarrassing, so when I turned around and I saw my teammates cheering, we went in to a big five moment.”
Edwards’ goal proved to be decisive as the Beavers got one back in the 84th minute on an unassisted goal from midfielder Diana Santiago.
Arizona State was able to buckle down for the final six minutes and hold for a 2-1 victory in head coach Graham Winkworth’s first Pac-12 game with the victory marking their first two-game winning streak of the season.
“I thought today’s performance was the best of the season,” Winkworth said. “It’s really nice to get our first Pac-12 victory and it’s important we try to win these home games.”
The Sun Devils improved to 4-4-1 and 1-0-0 in Pac-12 play and will now head to the Bay Area for games against No. 13 Cal next Thursday followed by No. 3 Stanford next Sunday.
Next: ASU Soccer: Sun Devils Dominate Weber State 4-0
“We now have Cal next and Stanford and they are two of the best teams in the country,” Winkworth said. “We are excited and we feel like we have a little momentum and a lot of confidence, and what’s exciting for me is that we are playing a style of soccer and we are trying to implement a type of soccer that is attractive to the fans and the girls really enjoy playing.”