News Summary
The Arizona State women’s soccer team secured a 3-1 victory against the University of Denver, marking head coach Graham Winkworth’s 250th career win. Tatum Thomason opened the scoring with a penalty kick, before Denver equalized. Izzy Monck and Sierra Bergen scored to clinch the win for ASU. Coach Winkworth praised his team’s resilience in the face of pressure, while Monck highlighted the importance of teamwork. The Sun Devils are set to face the Texas Longhorns next, continuing their promising season.
Tempe, Arizona – The Arizona State women’s soccer team claimed a 3-1 victory against the University of Denver on Sunday afternoon, marking a significant milestone for head coach Graham Winkworth as he celebrated his 250th career win as a collegiate women’s soccer coach.
The match commenced with an early surge from Arizona State. Tatum Thomason netted a penalty kick at the 5:35 mark in the first half, giving the Sun Devils a 1-0 advantage over the Pioneers. The home team’s lead held strong through the first half.
However, the second half saw a shift when Denver’s Brooke Ahern equalized with a goal in the 77th minute, leveling the score at 1-1 and putting pressure on ASU. Nonetheless, the Sun Devils quickly responded. Just three minutes later, senior defender Izzy Monck capitalized on a loose ball following an Addison Baltodano corner kick, regaining the lead for her team and making it 2-1.
As the match wound down, Sierra Bergen sealed ASU’s victory by scoring the third goal with less than five minutes remaining, assisted by Ava Wright. This final goal underscored the Sun Devils’ resilience and teamwork.
Coach Winkworth expressed happiness regarding his team’s performance and character, especially in their response to Denver’s late equalizer. The win reflects both the hard work of the coaching staff and the athletes contributing to this season’s success.
Izzy Monck acknowledged the crucial nature of her goal, crediting her teammate Baltodano for providing excellent service during the corner, which allowed for the scoring opportunity that turned the tide in favor of ASU.
Next Matches and Season Overview
The Arizona State women’s soccer team is poised to continue their season with a challenging match against the Texas Longhorns in Austin. This road match is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST on Thursday, marking an early test for the Sun Devils away from their home turf.
Prior to the match against Denver, Arizona State opened their season on a high note with a commanding 2-0 victory over Nevada, featuring goals from Miki Hayashi and Peyton Marcisz. Additionally, goalkeeper Pauline Nelles achieved her 19th career shutout in that match, showcasing a strong defensive effort.
Historically, Arizona State has performed exceptionally well in games played in August. Since 2018, the team holds an impressive 15-0-6 record, outscoring their opponents 62-13 during the same timeframe. This strong foundation gives the team confidence as they proceed further into the season.
The current roster reflects a blend of experience and fresh talent, with 14 new players joining the team this year, while 12 players from last season are returning. This combination aims to enhance team dynamics and performance as they pursue more victories in the upcoming matches.
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Additional Resources
- ASU Soccer Faces Texas
- Wikipedia: Arizona State University
- ASU Soccer Season Opening Victory
- Google Search: Arizona State University Soccer
- ASU Football’s Economic Boost
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Soccer
- Profile on Kierra Blundell
- Google News: ASU Soccer News
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
