If the ASU soccer team looked at its opponents' previous results, they were most likely anxiously awaiting their game against Southern Utah on Sunday.
Southern Utah (2-5) had lost their last two games entering play Sunday, both to Pac-12 schools, by a combined nine goals. The Sun Devils (5-2) scouted SUU on Friday in Tucson and knew they could exploit certain mismatches.
After an exhilarating overtime game that resulted in a loss to Texas Tech, the ASU soccer team knew it had to cap the weekend off on a positive note. SUU proved to be the perfect victim to get ASU’s offense back on track.
ASU dominated SUU on the stat sheet, registering a 20-6 edge in shots taken, including an 11-4 advantage on shots on goal.
ASU won the game 4-0, but easily could have increased that victory margin if a few more of its shots found the back of the net.
Sophomore forward Cali Farquharson scored two goals for ASU, and now has nine goals in ASU's seven games.
Farquharson scored ASU’s first goal about 12 minutes in. She was on a breakaway from the right side and eventually beat the keeper 1-on-1.
Senior midfielder Holland Crook added to ASU’s lead later in the first half when she scored her first goal of the season. She scored on a penalty kick, which was set up because of a foul called inside the box.
Coach Kevin Boyd said the Sun Devils had a set piece and served the ball into the box.
"It was a pretty good ball between the back line and the goal keeper with us running on to it," Boyd said. "One of (SUU's) players fully held on to Cali while she was running and spun her in the circle. The ref caught it, called a foul.”
Sophomore forward Sara Tosti also converted a scoring chance in the second half, scoring for the first time since ASU’s season opener.
With 13:56 left in the game, Farquharson scored again, and at that point ASU cruised with its four-goal advantage.
“I pulled her out after that,” Boyd said of Farquharson. “We need to rest her when we can. I’m sure a lot of people would like to see her stay in to play to get three goals, a hat trick, but it was more important for us to rest her at that point.”
ASU’s next game is Sept. 20 against Boise State at home 4:30 p.m. It will be televised on Pac-12 networks.
Reach the reporter at Justin.Janssen@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @jjanssen11