ASU Soccer: A kickin’ good start, Sun Devils score four in win over CSF

The first one is always the hardest they say. For Arizona State (1-0) soccer, that stood true in their season opener against Cal State Fullerton (0-1) on Thursday.

The two clubs found themselves in a scoreless lock at halftime. The Sun Devils for the most part, outside a late run, were outplayed in the first half. Of course, the rust may have needed to be wiped off.

Head Coach Graham Winkworth made the adjust of having the the midfield starting pushing more pressure and having the offense go through them. It paned out.

Sophomore midfielder Marleen Schimmer drew a foul in the 46th minute, once the ball was set back down, ASU fired into the box. The Titans did a poor job to clear it and it rolled in front of redshirt senior Lorato Sargeant. She squeaked it by the goalkeeper to put ASU on top. The floodgates opened as ASU went on to win 4-1.

Sargeant, a Virginia transfer, had a solid debut even outside of her goal. She had an influence all over the pitch and it was clear why Winkworth wanted her in Tempe.

Other star attackers were Schimmer and sophomore midfielder Alexia Delgado. Cal State Fullerton tied it quickly after Sargeant’s goal with an odd score that may or may not have crossed the goal line. The tie didn’t last long. Schimmer maneuvered past defenders to open space for her screamer off of her right foot.

Delgado had part in the third and fourth goal. She had the free kick that entered the box, then somehow found its way to junior forward Olive Jones. Jones drilled the crossbar for the goal. Delgado sent in the fourth goal herself after a perfect build up that Jones started.

True freshman Giulia Cascapera started in the net. She proved her worth very early on making saves against the extended pressure from the titles. She finished with three saves.

The Sun Devils return to Tempe for their home opener on Sunday night against Central Arkansas at 6:00 p.m.