The ASU women’s soccer team kept its unbeaten start to the season alive with a win against Charlotte and a draw against No. 19 South Carolina over the weekend.

The highlight of the trip was another game-winning goal for senior forward Karin Volpe that gave the Sun Devils (3-0-1) a 1-0 win over Charlotte (3-1-0) on Friday. The goal, scored in the 69th minute, was Volpe’s third of the season and second game-winner in four games.

It was the first loss of the season for the 49ers.

“To go on the road and get the win against Charlotte on Friday night is very good for our program,” coach Kevin Boyd said. “But it was close. They’re a good team.”

The goal came while the 49ers were trying to clear the ball out of their box. Volpe got on the end of a bouncing header and hit a hard shot into the back of the net.

The win against Charlotte was also the first shutout of the season for sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Gillmore, who has started all four games for the Sun Devils. Gillmore finished with five saves against the 49ers.

On Sunday, the Sun Devils took on a tough South Carolina squad (3-1-1), and controlled most of the first half.

But the Gamecocks would strike first after junior forward Maria Petroni headed a cross past Gillmore and into the top right corner.

ASU tied it up in the 36th minute after driving down the field and earning a corner kick. Freshman midfielder Holland Crook lined up to take the corner, which was headed out of the box and towards midfield by the Gamecocks.

That’s where ASU sophomore midfielder Taylor McCarter was waiting, and she drove a shot into the right side of goal that South Carolina redshirt senior goalkeeper Mollie Patton had no chance to save.

In the second half, ASU put a lot of pressure on the Gamecocks, but couldn’t add a second goal. Extra time came and went without any solid chances on goal for either team.

“I think we had really good moments, but we need to start bringing that for a whole game,” Volpe said.

While Boyd was pleased with aspects of the game against a top 20 opponent, he was ultimately frustrated with the result.

“I thought we were the better team, and when we were on, we were really good.”  Boyd said. “At the end, we were really disappointed because we felt like we let a win slip away.”

The next two games for the Sun Devils will be at home, against Tennessee on Friday and Nebraska on Sunday.

Reach the reporter at egrasser@asu.edu

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Categories: Soccer Sports

Tags: ASU Charlotte Soccer South Carolina