Bears Best Sun Devils
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Golden Bears picked up a big win in Sun Devil Stadium with a 2-1 victory against Arizona State in double-overtime Friday night. Cal bested the no.16 team and gave the Sun Devils (7-2-2, 3-1-3 Pac-12) their first conference loss. The Bears improve to 5-3-1 (3-3-0 Pac-12) after goals from both Keely Roy and Amaya Gray.
"We are thrilled with this win tonight," said head coach Neil McGuire. "Arizona State is an outstanding team that is very disciplined, well organized, and dangerous offensively. We are proud of the players for their poise and how they handled being initially down a goal."
California's attack started strong and earned three consecutive corner kicks in the first three minutes of the game. The Bears held possession for most of the first half and outshot the Sun Devils, 9-5. Paige Metayer snuck a shot past defenders in the 21st minute that was saved by ASU's Giulia Cascapera.
Despite a threatening Cal attack, the Sun Devils took the initial lead in the 34th minute. Angelina Anderson punched away an impressive header from ASU's Alexia Delgado, but the save set up another play for the Sun Devils. Seconds later, Delgado rebounded the ball and Jazmine Wilkinson headed in a goal to give ASU a 1-0 lead.
The Bears struck three more shots before the end of the half, but could not find the equalizer.
The Sun Devils picked up their pace in the second half, out-shooting the Bears 14-8 in attempt to find some cushion. Despite being out-shot, the Bears found more precision in their attack with six shots on goal.
In the 67th minute, freshman Rilee Harmon blasted a shot to the top of the woodwork that ricocheted to Keely Roy. Roy tucked the ball away off her let foot into the back of the net, bringing the game to a 1-1 draw.
The Sun Devils sent eight more shots before the end of regulation in attempt to win the game, but Anderson instead collected a season-high ten saves. At the end of the second period, Cal and ASU were still at a draw and headed into overtime.
The Golden Bear attack dominated the overtime period and out-shot the Sun Devils 5-1. Cal had some good looks in the first overtime period, but wouldn't find the net until reaching double overtime.
In the 102nd minute, Kaylee Nguyen gave a clean cross to Amaya Gray who sent a low line drive past Cascapera to win the game for the Bears.
"When you believe in your team and in yourself, this is the result," said Amaya Gray. "No guts, no glory!"
The Bears next head to Tucson to face Arizona on Sunday at 12 p.m.
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