Defenders Olivia Coleman, Andrea Kraetzerand Lauren Kirberg played all 90 minutes on the defensive end. The trio, along with Emilie Simpson (83 minutes) and Lucy Johnson (79 minutes) and other Sun Devils, contributed to a defensive effort that kept Cal from scoring the go-ahead goal after the Golden Bears reversed the momentum of the game when they tied the game at 1-1 in the 41st minute.
Cal took eight of its 13 shots and had all nine of its corner kicks in the second half.
Keri Matthews (three shots/one SOG) and Enasia Colon (two shots/one SOG) combined for five of ASU’s eight shots. Also putting shots on frame were Suzuka Yosue and Florence Vaillancourt.
After the first two weekends of play, the Sun Devils (6-2-4, 1-1-1 Pac-12) are tied with Utah (5-3-4, 1-1-1) for sixth place in the Pac-12 standings. Four of the five teams ahead of them are unbeaten in conference play: No. 3 Stanford (10-0-1, 3-0), No. 5 UCLA, (9-1, 3-0), No. 19 USC (7-2, 3-0) and Cal (5-3-3, 2-0-1). Colorado (10-2, 2-1) is in fifth place.
MATCH SUMMARY
Colon opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a perfectly-placed volley from distance that Cal goalkeeper Teagan Wy was unable to keep from going into the net.
Keri Matthews nearly extended ASU’s lead to 2-0 a short time later, but Wy was able to leap and get a hand on the ball.
In the 25th minute, Nelles had to come off her line to challenge Cal’s Abby Borchers who had a 1v1 opportunity. Nelles executed a perfectly-time slide to prevent Borchers from scoring. With both players still on the ground, Borchers was able to pass the loose ball to teammate Ari Manique, who launched a shot from the top of 18. The Bears would be denied again as Hannah Lapeire – momentarily ASU’s last line of defense – got a foot on Manique’s shot to end Cal’s scoring threat.
The Bears knotted the game at 1-1 in the 41st minute. Cal’s Rilee Harmon caught up to a throw in near the endline and was able to get the equalizer.
Nelles, who made three of her five saves in the first half, was able to punch away a shot that came on a Cal set piece in the 51st minute.
At the start of the 68th minute, Lucy Johnson’s tackle in the box prevented what likely would have set up an excellent scoring attempt for Cal.
Nelles again came off her line to break up another potential Cal scoring opportunity in the 81st minute.
Up Next
The Sun Devils return to their home pitch for matches against Washington (Thursday at 7 p.m.) and No. 23 Washington State (Sunday at 12 p.m.). Click here to purchase tickets.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Steve Rodriguez
Click on Logo
