Aug. 31, 2008
ASU at San Diego State Photo Gallery
SAN DIEGO - The Arizona State women's soccer team dropped its first contest of the season, falling to the San Diego State Aztecs 2-1 on Sunday.
For the second time in the first three games of the season, the young Sun Devils found themselves playing from behind after giving up an early goal. They would eventually come back to tie the contest only to see the Aztecs score the go-ahead goal in the final three minutes.
"This was a very poor day for us because we didn't show up and perform to our capabilities," said ASU head coach Kevin Boyd. "We showed how young we were today. I understand all of the challenges we are facing, but it doesn't make it ok to do some of the things that we did today."
San Diego State (2-1-0) took a 1-0 lead in the game's 14th minute after Aztec sophomore midfielder Cat Walker's shot deflected off ASU goalkeeper Katie Cochran and into the left corner of the goal.
The game would remain scoreless for the rest of the half as the Sun Devils (1-1-1) were unable to create many scoring opportunities. At the conclusion of the first 45 minutes the Aztecs had taken twice as many shots as ASU (6-3).
The Sun Devils started to play with a greater sense of urgency offensively when they came out for the second half. Karin Volpe would even up the contest in the 63rd minute when Erica Long set her up following a cross from Carla Scanniello. The goal was the third of the season for Volpe, who last season led the Sun Devils in goals and points.
Following Volpe's goal the Aztecs would once again start to take control as they allowed ASU to take only one more shot for the remainder of the contest while registering nine of their own. The Sun Devils appeared headed for overtime for the second time in as many games before Aztec freshman forward Taylor Canatsey headed in the game-winner off a corner kick from Walker with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
Sophomore Carly Kallas led the Sun Devils in shots (3) for the second straight game while Cochran made nine saves.
After playing their first three games of the season on the road, the Sun Devils will open the home portion of their schedule on Friday (7 p.m.) when they host Texas Christian University.