ASU Soccer: Sun Devils open season with win over UTEP

Nicole Douglas and Arizona State soccer (1-0) wasted no time to grab a win to kick off the season. On Thursday, the Sun Devils topped UTEP (0-1) 3-1.

Douglas, who led the Sun Devils in goals the past two seasons, added to her highlight reel with her 35th minute chip.

Midfielder Alexa Delgado fired one in for Douglas to run to, and the English forward caught up to it and flipped it over UTEP keeper Emily Parrott for the game’s first goal.

She found the back of the net in the second half as well. Her 79th came off an assist from Pittsburgh transfer Vildan Kardesler.

Douglas almost got her head on a ball that was nearly a goal as well earlier in the second half. Kardesler also just missed a goal in her Sun Devil debut.

Arizona State’s second score came off the foot of Olivia Nguyen. The junior has seen action in her first two seasons, but finally got her first career goal against the Miners. Overall, the Sun Devils outshot UTEP 19-3 and also had three corners.

Utep’s lone goal came quickly after Douglas’ second score. Ayana Noel got a chance past Sun Devil goalie Amanda Green.

Freshmen Lucy Johnson, Jazmine Wilkinson, Tahlia Herman-Watt and sophomore Kiki Stewart all made their debuts for the program on Thursday. The Sun Devils return to action on Sunday against New Mexico State at 1:00 p.m. MT.