ASU women's soccer wins over Oregon


Junior midfielder Alexandra Elston scored two goals while freshman goalkeeper Alyssa Gillmore made five saves as the Arizona State women's soccer team closed out the regular season with a 2-1 win over Oregon on Sunday.

Needing a pair of wins this weekend to help bolster their chances of securing their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2003, the Sun Devils (9-7-3, 2-6-1 Pac-10) took care of business defeating Oregon State 1-0 in overtime on Friday night and then the Ducks on Sunday.

Against Oregon (9-10-1, 1-8-0 Pac-10) the Sun Devils would need a come-from-behind effort after Duck freshman forward Julie Armstrong scored her third goal of the season to put her team up 1-0 in the 32nd minute.

As has been the case when they have fallen behind throughout the season, the Sun Devils would respond with a frenetic attack which would result the in the game-tying goal in the 53rd minute when Elston took to the air on a corner kick from teammate Courtney Tinnin and connected on a header.

With both teams in search of the go-ahead goal, the last 27 minutes of the game were contested with postseason-like intensity. The Sun Devils would take advantage of the best opportunity they had in the 76th minute when the Ducks committed a handball foul in the penalty area. Elston would score on the ensuing penalty kick to put the Sun Devils up 2-1.

Over the last 14 minutes of regulation the Sun Devils used an all-out defensive effort to keep the Ducks from tying the game.

With her second goal of the game, Elston moved into a tie for sixth place on ASU's all-time list for most career game-winning goals (6). She also concluded the regular season as ASU's leader in goals (7) and points (20) and tied for first on the team with Tinnin in assists (6).

Prior to Sunday's game, the Sun Devils recognized seniors Katie Cochran, Liz Harkin, Carly Kallas, Briana Silvestri and Katie Smith.

Next up for the Sun Devils is Monday night's NCAA Women's Soccer Selection Announcement (appox. 6 p.m. MT/8 p.m. ET) on ESPNews when they will find out if they earned a berth in the 64-team field.