TEMPE, Ariz. – The sun dropped, and the lights came on at Sun Devil Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium, where the Arizona State Sun Devils carried their strong start into tonight’s match, defeating the Cal Poly Mustangs 2-0.

Lightning shuts down the show early

Lightning and dangerous weather near the stadium forced the game to be stopped in the 85th minute. Referees called the game shortly after. 

Arizona State and Cal Poly last met Nov. 14, 2003, in Santa Clara, California, when the No. 14 Sun Devils defeated the No. 20 Mustangs 3-1 in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Friday’s match marked the first time the teams have met in Tempe.

​With the win over the Mustangs, Arizona State extended its streak, with two straight seasons of four-or-more wins to open the year, going unbeaten to start the season. The Sun Devils have not lost one of their first five matches since falling to New Hampshire on August 31, 2018.​

Three Sun Devils were honored on “480” night who call the area home: sophomore goalkeeper Kennedy Zorn, freshman defender Gator DeMark, and sophomore forward Addison Baltodano.

Early pressure puts ASU in front three minutes in

From the kickoff, ASU pressured Cal Poly’s backline. 3:02 into the game, junior forward Sierra Bergen hit the back of the net from the top of the box, bottom right corner, assisted by sophomore forward Bela Puccinelli.

“There were a lot of solid performers out there tonight, but I must single out [Bergen]. She is one of the hardest workers I know and runs all day for this team,” head coach Graham Winkworth said.

ASU continued its relentless pressure on the goal, opening up passing lanes for the Sun Devils to get seven shots on goal in the first half, compared to Cal Poly’s three.

The Sun Devils started the second half right back in the box with more shots and pressure on goal.

Monsoons shift momentum for maroon

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In the 70th minute, the game shifted when dust and wind kicked up, causing both teams to keep the ball on the ground. The Mustangs made a late surge in the 80th minute with their first two corner kicks of the game, but ASU kept the ball out of the net.

In the 81st minute, Arizona State found the back of the net again from a pass by senior midfielder Emmie Ennis to freshman defender Mya Angus to give the Sun Devils a two-goal lead with under five minutes remaining.

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“Ending the match with my first collegiate goal is a surreal feeling, ultimately demonstrating all the hard work I’ve put in over the past few years,” Angus said.
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Going into the game, Cal Poly had outshot opponents and outscored them 5-2. Arizona State controlled the ball and ultimately outscored and outshot the Mustangs.

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Zorn earned her fifth career shutout against the Mustangs, giving Arizona State three consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season.

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“It is very pleasing that we have been able to keep three clean sheets in a row, too. The team has worked very hard defensively from top to bottom, and when you are not conceding many goals as a group, you are always in matches,” Winkworth said.

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The Sun Devils will now go on the road to Mulcahy Stadium to face Dartmouth on September 3rd.

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“Tomorrow the focus switches to another conference champion as we prepare for Thursday’s big game against Dartmouth,” Winkworth said.