Oct. 20, 2006
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State University soccer team took to its home pitch Friday evening looking to defeat its second ranked foe in a row, but an early goal by No. 21 USC was the difference as the visiting Trojans downed the host Sun Devils, 1-0, in a Pac-10 Conference match inside Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. The loss dropped the Sun Devils' record to 6-7-2 overall and 1-4-0 in the Pac-10 while the Women of Troy improved to 8-3-3 overall and 1-1-2 in the conference.
Both teams played an up-tempo match as each side pushed the ball deep into each other's zones. After several attempts, the Trojans carried the ball down the right side before Lauren Brown dribbled toward the top of the box and chipped the ball toward the far post. Her shot lofted over the outstretched arms of ASU keeper Kim Bingham and into the top corner for the goal.
The Sun Devils produced their best opportunity of the night just moments later as ASU carried into the USC half of the field with Carly Kallas crossing the ball to Courtney Crane on the left side. Crane collected the ball at the top of the box, made one dribble and fired a rocket toward the goal where the ball caught the left post and deflected back into play. In all, the Sun Devils were outshot, 20-11.
Defensively, Bingham recorded seven saves in the match while her counterpart, Veronica Simonton, halted both of ASU's shots on goal. The Sun Devils were led by Kyleyn Felts, who took a team-high four shots, and Lara Kezer, who attempted two.
The Sun Devils close out the weekend Sunday at 1 p.m. when No. 3 UCLA visits Tempe. The Bruins enter the match 13-2-2 overall after defeating Arizona, 1-0, in Tucson Friday night.