Oct. 8, 2010
Final Box ASU-Washington State Photo Gallery
PULLMAN, Wash. - Karin Volpe's team leading eighth goal of the season proved to be enough offense for the Arizona State women's soccer team on Friday as the Sun Devils downed Washington State 1-0 in the Pac-10 opener for both teams.
With Friday's victory the Sun Devils (7-2-2, 1-0-0 Pac-10) snapped their three-game winless streak (0-2-1) and also brought an end to Washington State's (5-7-0, 0-1-0 Pac-10) three-game winning streak.
"I'm really thrilled with the way we played the game," ASU head coach Kevin Boyd said following the game. "We played hard. We played disciplined and very organized and we looked focused the entire time and so it was a quality job by this squad.
"We didn't give anything up. We made everything they did very difficult. We absolutely battled in every part of the field. I think that was probably our best 90-minute game in terms of our effort and intensity."
The only goal of the game came in the 28th minute when redshirt sophomore forward Sierra Cook sent a ball to freshman forward Devin Marshall, who was on the outside of the back post. Marshall's shot was blocked, but Volpe was there for the quick rebound to put the Devils up 1-0.
The Sun Devils would make the one-goal lead stand for the remainder of the game as they came through with a solid defensive effort that included not allowing Washington State to register a shot on goal the last 60-plus minutes of the game.
Volpe's four shots led ASU while Cook added two. Sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Gillmore made one save in collecting her second consecutive shutout and her fourth of the season.
With the goal, Volpe moved into sole possession of second place on ASU's all-time list with 13 career game-winning goals and also took over sixth place on ASU's all-time scoring list with 63 points.
The Sun Devils resume play on Sunday when they take on the Washington Huskies in Seattle. Game time is set for 11:30 a.m. PT.