The ASU soccer team's 2018 season officially drew to a close on Monday when the NCAA announced the 64 teams scheduled to compete in the College Cup.
Despite the Sun Devils not landing a spot in the tournament, the team saw a lot of firsts that included a record of 10-7-1, back-to-back sweeps and a No. 20 spot on Top Drawer's Division I top-25 – something the team hasn't seen since the 2014 season.
For the first time in four years, the Sun Devils' record held enough potential to possibly secure them a spot in the tournament. However, the team closed the season with a 'Team First' chant even though they didn't receive a bid.
Among the 64 teams to make the tournament is ASU's rival – the UA Wildcats.
Coach Graham Winkworth turned the team around in just his second year as head coach. The team's 2017 conference record of 2-7-2 improved to 5-5-1 this year.
Ten Sun Devils managed to hit the net during the entirety of the season with 29 total goals scored; five of them being new recruits by Winkworth.
With 1,153 minutes played, freshman forward Nicole Douglas led the team with nine goals, and freshman forward Marleen Schimmer knocked in five.
Additionally, freshmen midfielders Alexia Delgado and Eva Van Deursen scored three and two, respectively; while freshman defender Cori Sullivan also knocked in two.
As for upperclassmen, the team will lose two key versatile players, senior defender/forward Jemma Purfield and senior midfielder/forward Casey Martinez.
Purfield who played a total of 16 games landed two goals, six assists and 36 shot attempts.
In the 18 games Martinez played, she racked up three goals, two assists and 42 shot attempts.
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Day, who did not play last year, also played a major part this year with 12 saves, and she managed a 3-1 record for an 80 percent saving.
Reach the reporter at Edith.Noriega@asu.edu or follow @Noriega_Edith on Twitter.
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