(Tucson, AZ) Florence Vaillancourt scored her first goal as a Sun Devil and Pauline Nellesmade four saves as the Sun Devil soccer team extended its unbeaten streak in regular season, non-conference games to 16, defeating Utah State 1-0 on day one of the Arizona Classic.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- The Sun Devils (4-0-3) wasted no time attacking Utah State as they took eight shots in the game’s first 15 minutes. Three players – Keri Matthews (3), Enasia Colon (3) and Suzuka Yosue (2) – combined for the eight shots. Both Matthews and Yosue were responsible for attempts that forced Utah State goalkeeper Diera Walton to makes saves.
- The Aggies did not get off a shot until the game’s 21st minute.
- ASU’s relentless attack paid off handsomely when Vaillancourt scored the game’s only goal in the 37th minute. Vaillancourt’s first goal as a Sun Devil was set up by freshman Ashley Leonhart, whose shot was just a bit strong causing it to bounce off the post. With Walton out of position after diving in an attempt to save Leonhart’s shot, Vaillancourt was in perfect position for the rebound and goal.
- ASU outshot Utah State 11-3 in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into the intermission for the second straight game.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Pauline Nelles made one save in the first half.
Second Half
- The Sun Devils turned back a dangerous scoring threat by the Aggies (2-4-1) in the opening minute of the second half.
- Savannah Maley, who came into the game as one three Sun Devils with multiple goals this season (2), had ASU’s first good look of the second half, but her shot was wide.
- Nelles made her third save of the game in the 71st minute to preserve ASU’s lead.
Noteworthy
- With the win, the Sun Devils are now 31-5-6 in regular season, non-conference games going back to 2018, including an 20-1-5 mark since 2020.
- Vaillancourt became the seventh Sun Devil to find the back of the net this season. It was the 16th career goal and seventh career game-winning goal for Vaillancourt, who played for Niagara and Syracuse before joining ASU in 2023.
- One of ASU’s top performers in the back line, senior Lucy Johnson played for the first time this season, entering the game in the 34th minute.
- Sophomore Brianna Nunley made her first appearance of the season in the game’s 30th minute.
- Sophomore Meighan Farrell started for the first time this season. Farrell started nine of 17 games as a freshman.
- Nelles made four saves and collected her fifth complete-game shutout of the season and the eighth of her career.
- ASU is currently in a four-game stretch in which it is playing three games with relatively early starts. Both of ASU’s Sun Devil Classic games last week were 10 a.m. MST starts. Sunday’s game vs. Texas Tech in Tucson will start at 9 a.m. MST.
UP NEXT
The Sun Devils will conclude play at the Arizona Classic in Tucson. on Sunday (9 a.m. MST) when they face Texas Tech. It will be the sixth all-time meeting between the Sun Devils and Red Raiders. Like Sunday’s contest, the previous five meetings have taken place at the Arizona Classic in Tucson. In the most recent meeting, the Sun Devils notched their first win over the Red Raiders (1-4-0), defeating then-No. 21 and previously unbeaten Texas Tech 3-2 in 2021.
Quoting Arizona State Head Coach Graham Winkworth
On win over Utah State
“Really proud of the girls’ response. (Sunday’s tie vs. Kent State) wasn’t our best performance or effort but they had a wonderful week of meetings, of practices and then the response today was incredible.
“The first half, I thought we actually looked pretty solid and pretty good defensively, but also creating chances and scored a lovely goal. Really proud of the response the girls gave. The second half wasn’t pretty, but it was one of those grinding-type performances and showed a lot of character. So for us to put in a solid performance for half a game and then a really strong character-type performance for the second half, I’m really happy. And another clean sheet for the back line and Pauli (Pauline Nelles), so delighted with that.”
On Florence Vaillancourt scoring her first ASU goal
“Delighted for her. I know she scored her first goal last weekend, but the referee gave an offside on that, that clearly wasn’t. So I’m delighted that she managed to bounce back because sometimes it can be demoralizing when those types of decisions go against you. So for her to bounce back and score a lovely goal, I’m pleased for her.”
On Lucy Johnson and Brianna Nunley making their first appearances of the 2023 season
“Delighted. Having a natural lefty is great. Johnno (Johnson) has got some work to do to get into match fitness from today, but to go in and put in a shift, I’m proud of her and she gave Emilie (Simpson) a good rest. And Bri (Nunley), I thought was excellent when she came on, you know, tired towards the end as anybody would be, but a great effort for sure.”
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Steve Rodriguez
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