ASU soccer defeats No. 25 Washington State 1-0 in overtime

TEMPE, Ariz. - In its first overtime match of the 2007 season, the Arizona State women's soccer team upset No. 25 Washington State, 1-0, Sunday at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. With the win, ASU (8-5-0, 2-0-0 Pac-10) matched its victory total from the 2006 season with seven games remaining in addition to giving the Sun Devils their first 2-0 start in Pac-10 play since 2003. The Cougars fell to 8-2-2 (1-1 Pac-10).

The game-winning goal for the Sun Devils came halfway through the first overtime period. Off a direct kick, freshman Alexandra Elston's shot was deflected off of a Washington State player and found the back of the net. The goal was the first of Elston's Sun Devil career.

"It was a free kick and I was just saying to myself, `be calm and try to score,' and it went in," said Elston.

The Sun Devils and Cougars battled through the first 90 minutes on even terms, as WSU held a 9-7 shot advantage going into the overtime period. The Sun Devils took the only two shots of the overtime period to even the final shot total at nine apiece.

"I thought it was a very good effort out there," said ASU head coach Kevin Boyd. "It still was not our best soccer, but I thought we were focused and made it difficult for them to get anything going. At the same time we kept trying to create chances for ourselves. That was a good team and I'm glad we were able to get that game."

Sophomore goalkeeper Briana Silvestri had three saves in the shutout for ASU. The Sun Devils have recorded seven shutouts in 2007, tying their total from last season and three away from the current school record of 10.

ASU looks to remain perfect in conference play as they make their first Pac-10 road trip of the season when they head to Eugene, Ore., to face the Oregon Ducks on Friday at 7 p.m.