Douglas equalizes in 75th minute, as ASU draws with CSUN

By Scott Mammoser

TEMPE, Ariz. – After several missed chances, Nicole Douglas scored on a penalty kick in the 75^th minute to bring the Arizona State soccer team to a 1-1 tie with CSUN (California State University at Northridge) on Friday. Sun Devils forward Marleen Schimmer was taken down on a breakaway, paving the way for the English sophomore Douglas to take the free kick.

“I just got to put this in the back of the net,” Douglas said of what she was thinking during the free kick. “It meant so much to me and the team that I needed to score. I try not to look at the keeper.”

ASU ties 1-1 with CSUN

The Matadors opened the scoring in the 48^th minute, when Kacie Garrity sailed her first goal of the season over ASU goalkeeper Giulia Cascapera. Just minutes later, CSUN has another great opportunity, when Alexis White stole the ball in the crease, but Bethany Fitzsimmons could not control the pass for a shot. The Sun Devils had a chance to win it in the 88^th minute, when Taylor Culver set up Schimmer, but her blast went high over the net. In total, ASU outshot CSUN 22-7, with Amanda Delgado making five saves for the Matadors, and controlled for 63 percent of the possessions.

“I’m happy with the performance,” ASU coach Graham Winkworth said. “We controlled the front to back, and we had the sense of urgency to win the game, rather than get the point. Once we equalized, I thought there was only one team trying to win the game. We need to be more clinical in front of the goal. We’re in a good place and playing some decent soccer.”

The Sun Devils (6-2-1) open the Pac-12 Conference schedule at 2 p.m. next Friday, Sept. 27, hosting Utah. CSUN (5-1-3) is at Grand Canyon at 1 p.m. on Sunday and plays games at home against Pepperdine and Denver before opening the Big West season on Oct. 3 in Hawaii.