Junior forward Devin Marshall weaves through the Pepperdine defense during the Sun Devils’ 1-0 win over the No. 10 Waves. (Photo by Kyle Newman)Junior forward Devin Marshall returned from injury Sunday afternoon to help lead the ASU women's soccer team to a 1-0 upset victory over No. 10 Pepperdine in the final match of the Sun Devil Desert Classic.
Marshall scored the lone goal of the game in the 64th minute for the Sun Devils (2-4-1), who finished their home opening weekend strong after a 1-0 loss to Houston on Friday night.
Marshall received a pass from freshman forward Cali Farquharson, beat two defenders and flicked it over Pepperdine goalkeeper Roxanne Barker into the back of the net.
Marshall was excited to return and contribute to her team.
“It was amazing,” Marshall said. “My goal is to score a goal a game, so I'm glad.”
Head coach Kevin Boyd noted that Marshall's return sparked the Sun Devils.
“What a difference when she's on the field,” Boyd said. “She absolutely changes us.”
Boyd thought the whole team effort Sunday was solid as well.
“It was our best performance of the year so far,” Boyd said. “Our focus was better the whole time and we made our own luck.”
Pepperdine (5-2-0), who scored 16 goals in its first six games, managed only two shots on goal against the Sun Devils’ defense.
Boyd thought his defense, which returned freshman Christina Schedel from a red card suspension she picked up at Kansas, was strong all afternoon.
“We put a tremendous amount of energy and focus into defending them,” Boyd said. “They didn't get loose very often.”
The Sun Devils return to action next weekend at the Cats Classic in Tucson against Loyola Marymount and Florida International.
ASU falls to Houston
ASU opened its home slate Friday with rain and a 1-0 loss against Houston.
The Sun Devils (1-4-1) dominated play the entire game, but gave up the game-winning penalty kick to Cougars midfielder Jasmine Martinez in the 87th minute.
Head coach Kevin Boyd was upset his team was unable to finish against Houston (3-3-0), who managed only one shot on goal.
“When you get as many chances as we did, eventually we have to put them away,” Boyd said. “The longer a team like Houston stays in the game, the more they feel like they may be able to nick us.”
The Sun Devils outshot the Cougars 13-6 in the game and didn't allow Houston to get a shot in the first half.
Boyd was pleased with the way his team came out early in its home opener.
“We had a good first half,” Boyd said. “We just couldn't create enough in the final third.”
The Sun Devils were again without leading goal scorer junior forward Devin Marshall, who was unable to return from a concussion. Marshall also missed last week’s match against Kansas.
Marshall's absence had an impact on the Sun Devils offensively, according to Boyd.
“There's no question that we are still lacking something on the front line,” Boyd said.
Martinez's penalty came as a result of a handball in the box by ASU freshman defender Nina Brueggemann.
Boyd believed the penalty shouldn't have been called.
“Her arms were within her body when it was hit but unfortunately the ball stuck to her,” Boyd said. “I'm curious to see what the assessor thought of it.”
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu
