Freshman forward Cali Farquharson (center) embraces a teammate after her goal that put the up Sun Devils 2-1 to defeat UA on Friday. (Photo by Kyle Newman)For the second straight match, freshman forward Cali Farquharson saved her best for last, scoring the game-winning goal against rival UA with less than two minutes remaining to give the Sun Devils (10-8-2, 6-4-1 Pac-12) a 2-1 victory Friday night in their regular-season finale.
Farquharson’s strike past Wildcat junior goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman put the Sun Devils in an even better position for a berth in the NCAA tournament after ending the regular season on a 4-0-1 streak. The Sun Devils improved their record all-time against their rivals to 15-2-1.
“Credit to our squad,” ASU coach Kevin Boyd said. “We’ve put together a nice run over the last couple of weeks, and this win absolutely cements us into the playoffs.”
Farquharson also scored the game winner against Colorado last Sunday with only 22 seconds left in double overtime, but the freshman enjoyed her ninth goal of the season more.
“The goal honestly felt the same to me, but it was much sweeter because it was against our rivals,” Farquharson said.
The match was also Senior Day, and the seniors got involved quickly to give the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead.
Midfielder Courtney Tinnin took a pass from fellow midfielder Alyssa Freeman in the 51st minute and sank the breakaway chance for her third goal of the season.
“I was in the right place at the right time and I got it past the keeper,” Tinnin said.
UA (6-11-3, 2-7-2 Pac-12) equalized in the 66th minute when redshirt junior midfielder Jessica Culver crossed a ball into the back of the net, but ASU dominated play, outshooting the Wildcats 23-11.
“You kind of felt it coming for us,” Boyd said. “I thought eventually one of our girls was going to get past them and find a clean shot, and I’m happy they did.”
The Sun Devils can now shift their focus to the postseason, a feat that was in question only a couple of weeks ago before the strong end to the season.
For now, though, Tinnin is going to enjoy the big win.
“Honestly, it’s the icing on the cake,” Tinnin said. “I couldn’t imagine a better way to end the season.”
Farquharson was also pleased with the ending of the regular season, as the Sun Devils finished in a fourth-place tie in the Pac-12 — their best finish since 2004.
“I didn’t want it to be the last game with the seniors,” Farquharson said. “I wanted to play another game with them.”
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu
