ASU coach Kevin Boyd said that Friday's game almost felt like two separate games because of a severe storm and lightning that resulted in a 45-minute delay in Tucson.
If both halves were counted that way, ASU would have won each of them handily.
The Sun Devils hit the ground running, as junior forward Cali Farquharson finding the back of the goal in just 58 seconds.
Freshman forward Jessica Raybe would double the lead less than two minutes later, a chip shot the ball over the head of junior goalkeeper, off an assist by redshirt sophomore defender Alyssa Martinez.
“It was good because it was my first collegiate goal,” Raybe said. “I wasn’t really expecting it to happen.”
ASU proved themselves to be a second half team, with both of their games being decided in the second half against Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.;
Boyd emphasized that putting together a complete game was the next step for his team, which the Sun Devils appeared to accomplish against the Aggies.
“I think we are doing an outstanding job,” Boyd said. “When we give the team something to do, they do it. Thats a great to have trait in a team. A lot of other coaches want that in their team, but they don’t have it. This team does.”
The Sun Devils would indeed come out looking like a first half team early on in the game, playing more aggressively than in the past.
“We were ready to go in the first half because that was one of our focuses.” Farquharson said.
Freshman forward Jazmarie Mader would put the Sun Devils up 3-0 in the 31st minute, coming off an assist from Cali Farquharson.
Lightning and rain in the area extended the halftime period, but ASU didn't lose any of its momentum going into the break.
“There was an hour and 35 minute delay between the first and second half,” Boyd said. “We spent the whole time on the bus. They were doing the safe thing and protecting the players.”
"You can almost view the game as two separate games because of the delay today,” Boyd said. “What was great about the second the half is that we scored five minutes into the half, and then 10 minutes into the half. Because of this luxury, we got to rotate our players in. We got to play 23 players into the game. I’m really happy our team did what they needed to do.”
Junior defender McKenzie Berryhill was starting lineup not, with sophomore defender Mckenzie Grossman again starting in her place, but Berryhill logged 66 minutes off the bench.
"Kenny (Berryhill) playing back there always helps,” Raybe said. “She takes newer players under her wing. She helped everyone calm down and kept the game going.”
Boyd was confident his team's top defender would return without much rust.
“Our team has a ton of trust in her,” Boyd said. “She is also very good in a one versus one situation. She has a calming affect.”
ASU would continue this relentless offensive attack, scoring two goals in the second half to put them up 5-0. Farquharson would add her second goal of the night in the 50th minute, (her fourth goal of the season) giving Martinez her second assist.
“I was honestly really happy because I didn’t get to score in the last couple of games,” said Farquharson. “It was just a big relief. It was really nice to get an early goal.”
These two goals moved Farquharson up in the Sun Devils all-time scoring list from eighth to sixth place.
Freshman midfielder Aly Moon would score the final goal of the game, (and her sixth of the year) in the 55th minute, firing it into the top right corner.
“I thought we thought we played fairly well,” Boyd said. “We did a good job of attacking their goal. I thought we were relentless about the way we just kept at them and at them and at them. New Mexico State played hard. They didn’t make it easy for us. They put us under pressure. They are trying to prepare themselves, and we are pretty formidable. Hopefully we added to their preparation process.”
The Sun Devils are already preparing mentally for their game against Nevada.
“Hopefully this game makes a statement,” Farquharhson said. “It boosts our confidence for sure. We just have to keep winning, and keep scoring goals.”
The Sun Devils play Nevada at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14 to finish out the Cats Classic.
Reach the reporter at mtsteine@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @MarcTSteiner
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