Oct. 21, 2011
LOS ANGELES - The Arizona State women's soccer team dropped its fourth one-goal decision of the season, losing to USC 2-1 in overtime on Friday.
The Sun Devils (6-9, 2-5 Pac-12) were able to force overtime after sophomore forward Devin Marshall scored her fourth goal of the season with 38 seconds left. However the Trojans (5-11, 2-5) would claim the win when they scored four minutes into the extra session.
For ASU, Friday's match was its first of the season that went into overtime.
In the first half it was the Sun Devils who controlled the action as they outshot the Trojans 8-3 during the first 45 minutes of play, including a 2-0 advantage in shots on goal (Marshall and Courtney Tinnin). Despite the constant pressure they applied throughout the half the Sun Devils were unable to break through for a goal and went into the half tied with the Trojans 0-0.
In the second half the Sun Devils would continue to press the action. Unlike the first half however, the Trojans proved to be more offensive minded as they nearly doubled the Sun Devils in shots (8-5).
For the fourth time this season the Sun Devils would find themselves entering the 80th minute of play in a tie game as neither they nor the Trojans were able to penetrate the other's defense for the go-ahead goal.
The Trojans would break the tie in the 83rd minute when senior midfielder Ashli Sandoval scored on a near post header off a corner kick to give USC a 1-0 lead.
With just over seven minutes left ASU would press hard in an attempt to find the equalizer. Its desperation increasing with each passing minute, ASU entered the final 60 seconds of regulation still facing a one-goal deficit.
The Sun Devils would get the break they was looking for when a Trojan foul gave them a chance to set up one last scoring opportunity. Holland Crook's ensuing free kick was initially headed by a Trojan defender, however the ball did not clear out of the box, but instead sailed in the direction of Marshall, who immediately headed the ball into the net to tie the match with 38 seconds left.
With the momentum on their side the Sun Devils began the overtime with an energized effort as they were able to maintain possession for most of the first three minutes of the period. They were not able to generate any shots however and would have their hopes for victory dashed exactly four minutes into overtime when USC senior defender Claire Schloemer one timed a cross from 18 yards for the game winner.
The Sun Devils close out their weekend trip to Los Angeles on Sunday when they face UCLA at 1 p.m. PT.