Oct. 2, 2005
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State University soccer team closed out the first half of its season Sunday afternoon under hot conditions in Tempe as the Sun Devils played their final non-conference foe of the year, San Diego, to a 2-2 tie inside Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. The tie moved ASU to 5-4-2 heading into the Pac-10 season while the Toreros, members of the West Coast Conference, moved to 3-7-1.
With temperatures reaching into the high 90s and not a cloud in the sky, the Sun Devils and Toreros kicked-off at high noon with USD pushing the pace from the start. Despite the attacking of the visitors, the Sun Devils were able to find the back of the net first as Elizabeth Bogus (Sr., Sandy, Utah) collected a pass just past mid-field and out drove two defenders into the penalty box where she launched a low, hard shot to the opposite corner of the goal for an early 1-0 lead.
That lead was short-lived, however, as the Toreros answered 12 minutes later when Madeline Buchanan punched home her first goal of the season at the 36:40 mark. Teammate Amy Epsten carried the ball into the box and slipped a pass across the front of the goal mouth where Buchanan one-timed the ball into the net.
Following intermission, the Sun Devils took their second lead of the match as Lara Kezer (So., Pleasant Hill, Calif.) scored the first goal of her ASU career at the 74:03 mark. After the ball kicked around the penalty area, Bogus ripped a shot that USD keeper Karen Cook deflected right to the feet of Kezer, who immediately shot the ball into the back of the net for the score. But, just as in the first half, the Toreros found a way to respond. At the 82:30 mark, Epsten collected a goal as she went far post for the score. Leigh Ann Robinson had the ball at mid-field and lifted a pass over the ASU defense that Epsten carried into the box and slipped a shot past keeper Kim Bingham (Jr., Pleasanton, Calif.).
Both keepers made spectacular plays to record some of their four saves, including Bingham halting two breakaway attempts and Cook stopping a pair of point-blank attempts. In the overtime session, it appeared the Sun Devils had a caught a break on a free kick as Manya Makoski (Sr., Trumbull, Conn.) took the direct from the top of the 18-yard box, curling it around a wall of defenders before finding the post. The ball deflected to Bogus, who found the back of the net for what appeared to be her third overtime winner on the year. But, the side judge called off-sides on the Sun Devils to negate the goal.
Bogus' score was her eighth on the year, moving her 10th on the all-time single season ASU goals list while also tying her for second on the all-time points list with 71 (28G-15A). Her 28 goals also give her the No. 2 standing on her own, breaking the tie with Patrice Feulner. When Bogus assisted on the Kezer goal, she increased her points total to 72 for second on the all-time list and gave her the season lead in both goals and assists.
Arizona State opens Pac-10 play at home next weekend as Oregon State visits Tempe for a 7 p.m. match Friday night before Oregon comes calling at noon Sunday.