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ASU soccer obliterates Loyola Chicago 4-0 in 2016 home opener

The Sun Devil defense allowed only two shots total for the Wolves.

Sophomore midfielder Adriana Orozco dribbles around the slide tackle made by the Loyola Chicago midfielder in the 4-0 win against Loyola Chicago in Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Friday, August 26, 2016. Orozco added in the second goal of the night in the 29th minute.
Sophomore midfielder Adriana Orozco dribbles around the slide tackle made by the Loyola Chicago midfielder in the 4-0 win against Loyola Chicago in Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Friday, August 26, 2016. Orozco added in the second goal of the night in the 29th minute.

Still damp with newly painted white lines and freshly cut grass, ASU soccer took the field for its home opener.

The Sun Devils (2-0-1) were pitted against Loyal University Chicago (0-2-1) Friday night and came out victorious in a 4-0 shutout win.

Warming up in their crisp white uniforms, anticipation built for the Sun Devils to continue an unbeaten start to the 2016 season.

"We were all anxious and nervous because we had freshman starting for the first time and starters starting for the first time, but everyone was cool and collected," redshirt senior forward Lucy Lara said.

A successful road trip last weekend to Boston showed ASU’s grit and determination to fight all 90 minutes, or more if necessary.

Fans wouldn’t have to wait long after kickoff for a Sun Devil goal.

Head coach Kevin Boyd was happy with the way his team started in the first few minutes.

"We've been fast starters and in all three game we've played so far we've scored first," Boyd said.

Lara brought the crowd to its feet in the 7th minute, scoring her first goal of the season.

A foul on the Wolves set up a free kick for Lara 35 yards out.

Her approach was calm, but her kick was mighty as she lined a shot over Loyola Chicago’s junior goalkeeper Maddie Ford and into the top right corner of the net.

"My first goal of the season and I just thank God and Devyn Kelsey for letting me take that shot, because she told me I had it," Lara said. "I am just so fortunate to have been able to score a goal like that."

Defensively, the Sun Devils recorded a shutout and kept Loyal Chicago to two shots total.

"We just stayed focused, we didn't get pulled out of shape and kept really good discipline," Boyd said. "From that standpoint I think our backline has done really well in all three games."

In the 29th minute, the Sun Devils struck again as sophomore midfielder Adriana Orozco scored her second goal of the season in spectacular fashion.

A cross from freshman forward Olivia Hernandez went through two Loyola Chicago defenders and to the feet of Orozco, who pinned a shot through the legs of Ford.

ASU took many long-distance shots which Boyd said he did not encourage.

"I want us to get closer because the percentage is higher when you're closer so I want us shooting inside the 18-yard box," he said.

Offensively, the Sun Devils' intensity mounted in each passing minute. Orozco said every player contributes to the team's overall strength.

"We have a lot of new players coming into our starting lineup so we've been working a lot on connecting and being able to connect as a team," Orozco said.

Lightning lurked in the distance as the Sun Devils finished the dominating first half leading 2-0.

ASU had 15 shots with seven being on goal.

The intensity by ASU in the first half didn’t escape them in the second.

"Intensity is a trademark we are starting to develop and its one of the areas we take tremendous pride in," Boyd said.

Orozco believes every new player has been a huge factor in each game played by the Sun Devils.

"I think all new players have come in very strong and had a big impact on our team," Orozco said.

A roar of vuvuzelas erupted at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium after a picture-perfect corner setup mounted ASU’s lead.

In the 69th minute, redshirt freshman midfielder Kylie Minifield received a short corner pass and launched it into the 25-yard box.

The in-air battle was won by junior forward Jessica Raybe who sent a header into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.

An unlucky occurrence for Loyola Chicago sealed their fate in the 80th minute.

Junior forward Jazmarie Mader lined a 35-yard shot that then deflected off the foot of a Wolves defender to score another goal for the Sun Devils.

"We stayed on top of them the entire time and I thought our second half was very good," Boyd said. "Today we didn't let up and our second half was in many ways better than our first."

ASU defeated Loyola Chicago by a final margin of 4-0. The Sun Devils will be back at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m. for an exhibition game against Beijing Normal University.


Reach the reporter at kcvalen1@asu.edu or follow @kvalenzuela17 on Twitter.

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