The Adidas Jabulani ball, now infamous after goalkeepers’ complaints during the World Cup, may have played a part in ASU women’s soccer’s first game.
“It’s the first time we’ve seen that new world cup ball,” coach Kevin Boyd said.
While the ball did not affect most players, it was difficult for both teams’ goalkeepers and may have played a part in the high-scoring game.
“It just moves all over the place,” Boyd said. “It’s really weird.”
For ASU’s next game, at home Aug. 29 against Baylor, a different ball will be used, possibly making life a little easier on the keepers.
First strikes
Freshman forward Devin Marshall and redshirt freshman forward Miah Mollay both notched their first career goals for the team in Friday’s 4-3 win over Northern Arizona.
“I was so excited,” Mollay said. “It really boosted my confidence and it made me so happy that I could come into the game and make an impact right away.”
Mollay scored two minutes after she came onto the field to give ASU a two-goal lead.
Marshall’s goal in the 64th minute gave the Sun Devils a 3-2 lead over the Lumberjacks.
“I was sort of in shock at first,” Marshall said. “It was really slow, and I didn’t really know what was happening.”
Marshall said that when she got a hold of the ball in the box, there were three defenders between her and the goal, and she just tried to get a good shot off. Marshall has big ambitions for her future contributions.
“I hope to score at least a goal a game,” Marshall said.
No Major Changes
Boyd doesn’t plan to make any major tactical changes so soon into the season. However, he said there might be a few personnel changes.
“We’re too new into the season to have anything set in stone,” Boyd said.
Instead, the team will focus on improving all over the field, hoping to eliminate the stretches of sloppy play that NAU took advantage of last game.
“We need to get our game together,” Boyd said.
Injury Report
At the start of the season, the Sun Devils had three players out, all due to knee injuries. Redshirt sophomore forward/midfielder Courtney Tinnin and redshirt sophomore defender Courtney Giovanni are out for the season, both with anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Redshirt freshman forward Nicki Stone has been recovering from an ACL injury since last spring, and could see action in October, if cleared.
Reach the reporter at egrasser@asu.edu
