(Tempe, AZ) For the second time in as many weeks, the Sun Devil soccer team’s dynamic duo in the midfield – fifth-year seniors Alexia Delgado and Eva van Deursen – led the Sun Devils to victory as both players found the back of the net in ASU’s 2-1 win over Cal on Thursday.
With the win, the Sun Devils remained unbeaten on the season (6-0-2) and have started Pac-12 play with a pair of wins.
For ASU, the win – in front of 1,915 fans – was its first over Cal (5-3-3, 0-2) since 2018 and its second since 2006.
Despite the Sun Devils creating the best scoring opportunities early, it would be the Bears who got on the board first after scoring on a penalty kick (ASU was called for a hand ball in the box) in the 11th minute.
The Sun Devils would also benefit from an opponent’s infraction after their leading scorer Nicole Douglas was fouled just short of the penalty area. Delgado tucked the ensuing free kick just under the cross bar to knot the game at 1-1 in the 22nd minute.
Van Deursen’s goal in the 73rd minute – assisted by Delgado and Lucy Johnson – gave the Sun Devils a lead they would not relinquish.
It was the second-straight week Delgado and van Deursen accounted for ASU’s goals. In last Friday’s Pac-12 opener at Colorado, Delgado scored the game’s first goal and van Deursen accounted for two more, including the game-winner with three seconds remaining.
Pauline Nelles made six saves in goal, including a diving save in the 81st minute to help ASU maintain the lead.
The Sun Devils will be back at home on Sunday (1 p.m. MST) when they host Stanford. Click here to purchase tickets for the game.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Steve Rodriguez
