Both weekend matches will be broadcast on Pac-12 Arizona with Daron Sutton and Krista Blunk on the call. Live stats for both weekend matches will also be available via Stat Broadcast here.
QUICK KICKS...
• Arizona State will continue their non-conference slate this weekend with a trip to Tucson, Arizona, to compete in the 2017 University of Arizona Tournament hosted by the Wildcats at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium.
• Freshman keeper, Nikki Panas, recorded her first clean sheet of her collegiate career Friday against Boston University. The Alberta, Canada native has anchored a defense that has allowed just five goals through the first three weeks of play. The Sun Devils' 3.0 saves per game currently ranks third in the Pac-12.
• Arizona State enters the weekend slate fresh off an 0-1-1 showing at the 2017 Sun Devil Desert Classic. On Friday, ASU battled with Boston University for 110 minutes, but couldn't break through resulting in the Sun Devil's first draw of the season (0-0). The Devils ended the weekend facing off against the No. 24 UCF nights. After holding the Knights scoreless in the first half, a quick two goals in the second half proved too high a hurdle for the Sun Devil Offense to overcome, as ASU fell, 2-1.
• In order to be the best, you have got to play the best. Arizona State's remaining schedule ranks 12th-nationally with teams combining for 49 wins so far in 2017. The Sun Devils' remaining opponents have also combined for an impressive .691 win percentage, a mark that checks in at No. 43 in the nation.
• Academic success has become a staple in the Sun Devil soccer culture. Since 2007 the Sun Devil soccer program leads the conference in the number of first-team awards (26) and the number of first- and second-team awards (42).
• Arizona State has proven this season they are willing to go the extra mile. In three of their last four matches, the Sun Devils have found themselves playing in extra time, including one game going a full 110 minutes. In total, the Sun Devils have played 37 minuets of overtime soccer in 2017.
PAC-12 REMAINS CLASS OF COLLEGIATE SOCCER...
The Pac-12 has six teams ranked in the United Soccer Coaches top-25 for the third-consecutive week after posting a 16-3-2 record last week, including three wins against ranked opponents. Ten Pac-12 schools enter the third week of the regular season with a winning record, including No. 1 UCLA who boasts a 6-0-0 record on the year. As a conference, the Pac-12 has combined to score an impressive 116 goals so far this season.
FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS...
Through the first three weeks of play, the Sun Devils have netted a combined four goals, not including exhibition matches, with all four goals being scored by different players. Freshman Olive Jones got the offense started this season with the first goal of the year in the first half of the Sun Devils home-opener against Ohio State. In week two, Natalie Stephens found her way onto the score-sheet with an early goal, before senior Jessica Raybe pushed the Sun Devils ahead of San Diego State with a golden goal in the 100th minute. Last weekend, junior transfer Jemma Purfield netted her first Sun Devil goal against No. 24 UCF on Sunday.
PURFIELD TABBED TO MAC HERMANN WATCH LIST...
Junior Jemma Purfield has been tabbed as one of 30 NCAA Division I players named to the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch Lists, announced by the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA) and the Missouri Athletic Club during the preseason. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer and is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. This year's winners will be announced Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. Purfield, a Beverly, England, native, played the last two seasons under head coach Graham Winkworth at South Alabama where she led the Jaguars in goals (11) during the 2016 season en route to being named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, as well as overall Player of the Year honors.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE A WAY OF LIFE FOR SUN DEVIL SOCCER...
Thirteen Arizona State University women's soccer student-athletes were recognized by the Pac-12 for their work in the classroom as the conference announced its annual All-Academic teams following the 2016 season. Headlining ASU's 13 honorees was senior defender Madison Stark (4.00 GPA – Journalism and Mass Communication), who earned first-team recognition for the second consecutive season. Junior forward Jessica Raybe (3.86 – Exercise and Wellness) and sophomore forward Natalie Stephens (3.89 GPA – Supply Chain Management) earned second-team recognition. It's the second straight season that Raybe has earned second-team honors. Since 2007 the Sun Devil soccer program leads the conference in the number of first-team awards (26) and the number of first- and second-team awards (42).
MADER EYING CAREER GOALS RECORD...
Senior Jazmarie Mader is quickly closing in on Sun Devil soccer history, knocking on the door of joining the top-10 all-time goal scorers in ASU program history. Mader currently sits just eight goals away from tying Karine Inoue (1997-00) for tenth all-time with 20 goals. ASU legend, Stacey Tullock (1998-01), leads all goal scorers with 50. Cali Farquharson (2012-15) was the latest Sun Devil to join the top-10 after closing out her playing career with 44 goals scored.
WHAT'S NEXT...
Following the weekend road trip, the Sun Devils will return home to face Hawaii and Weber State at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium on Sept. 15 and 17. Fans can purchase tickets to all ASU home matches by calling the ticket office at (480) 727-0000 or by purchasing online here.