ASU women's soccer defeats Creighton

September 18, 2009

The first two goals of sophomore defender <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/shepard_katie00.html">… Shepard's</a> career proved to be enough offense for the Arizona State women's soccer team on Friday as it defeated Creighton 2-1.<separator></separator>With the victory the Sun Devils (5-1-1) extended their unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1).<separator></separator>Statistically the Sun Devils dominated as they had overwhelming advantages in shots (14-6) and corner kicks (5-0). Despite those advantages ASU still faced an uphill battle early after Creighton junior Claire Zach scored the first goal of the game on a header in the eighth minute.<separator></separator>The Sun Devils would tie the game less than five minutes later when Shepard scored from point-blank range. Shepard's goal was set up by teammate <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/elston_alexandra00.htm… Elston</a>, who headed <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/tinnin_courtney00.html… Tinnin's</a> corner kick into a crowd. The ball came Shepard's way and she quickly put it away.<separator></separator>Shepard's second career goal would come less than four minutes later when she leaped and headed in another corner kick by Tinnin to give the Sun Devils a 2-1 lead.<separator></separator>The Sun Devils would make the lead stand up for the remainder of the game and nearly increased it early in the second half when they created a flurry of scoring opportunities. After ASU's initial attack failed to produce any additional goals it had to fend off a few threats from the Bluejays, who controlled the action during the latter stages of the second half.<separator></separator>Shepard became the third Sun Devils to score two goals in a game this season joining teammates <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/volpe_karin00.html">Ka… Volpe</a>  (at Tennessee on Aug. 31) and Elston (Sept. 11 vs. San Diego State). With her two assists Tinnin now has four this season which leads the team.<separator></separator>The Sun Devils return to action on Sunday (noon CT/10 a.m. PT) when they face Nebraska in Lincoln. The Huskers are also 5-1-1 after defeating South Dakota 9-0 on Friday.