Arizona soccer (9-7-4, 4-6-1 Pac-12) wrapped up its 2013 regular season with a 2-0 victory over rival Arizona State at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Stadium on Thursday.
The Wildcats’ win over ASU was senior day for three Wildcats: Jazmin Ponce, Ana-Maria Montoya and Shannon Heinzler.
“It really hasn’t hit me yet,” Ponce said following the game. “I don’t want it to hit me yet.”
Even with a large contingent of Sun Devil fans in the crowd, including Sparky himself, Arizona got off to a quick start in the game when freshmen midfielder Jaden DeGracie found enough room just outside of ASU’s penalty area in the third minute to hit a perfect strike that was just out of the range of Sun Devil goalkeeper Chandler Morris.
Usually the one dishing out the assists, it was DeGracie’s first goal of the season.
“It was really exciting,” DeGracie said. “I can’t even really describe it. Looking at Ali Doller’s face when she came running toward me was just exactly how I felt.”
ASU looked as though it had tied the game up with about 20 minutes remaining in the first half, but its corner kick goal was disallowed when Wildcat goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman was fouled. Kaufman was solid all afternoon, finishing with eight saves.
The second half was all Wildcats as they dominated possession and scored the half’s only goal when a “flip” throw-in from DeGracie found the head of junior midfielder Julia Glanz in the 61st minute. It was the second consecutive game in which Glanz has scored for the Wildcats.
Arizona had several more opportunities to extend the lead but did not take advantage.
While the UA only ended up with a 16-12 shot advantage for the game, the Wildcats’ defense dominated the Sun Devils, giving them very few good looks at the goal.
“They’re a tough competitor,” Heinzler said. “We did what we’ve been working on all season, which was to stay tight on their players and winning balls in the air. Everyone also really showed up today, which helped.”
In just his first season at Arizona, head coach Tony Amato led the Wildcats to their first victory over ASU since 2009. While the UA’s postseason chances are slim, Amato says beating ASU is still a great way to end the season.
“The perfect way to end the season would to be in the NCAA tournament,” Amato said. “But if that can’t happen, then we want to beat ASU.”
“We probably knocked them out, which is a positive,” Amato added. “If we’re not going, they’re not going.”
The Wildcats will learn their postseason fate on Monday. The selection show will be broadcast at 4:30 p.m. EST on NCAA.com.
