In the 85th minute, less than 30 seconds after Washington tied the game 1-1, sophomore midfield/forward Enasia Colon let one go from over 30 yards out. You could tell from the stands it was on frame. As it grazed over the goalkeeper’s fingertips and hit the back of the net, the crowd went wild.
“We just talked in the locker room. It was like, ‘Enasia pas- oh my god!’” Colon said. “I saw an opportunity to take a shot because the goalie was coming off her line, and so I took it.”
That was the game-winning goal for ASU in a match they had control of for most of the night.
Outside of the first couple of minutes, the Lady Devils controlled the first half, taking eight shots, with three being on goal.
ASU scored first in the 34th minute when graduate student forward Florence Vaillancourt delivered a cross into the box for freshman midfield/forward Ella Opkvitne to place into the left corner under the gloves of the Washington goalkeeper.
“I scored one goal, but I really hoped to get another. I had some chances today, so I should’ve maybe scored some more,” Opkvitne said. “I’m really happy and grateful for the playing time and to be able to score.”
Opkvitne had seven shots Thursday night, four more than she had recorded in any other game this season. Head coach Graham Winkworth noted her aggressiveness on both sides of the ball.
“Ella was phenomenal in the first half,” Winkworth said. “Ella is proving why she’s in the (attacking midfielder) position because not only does she give us the attacking threat, but she works hard defensively as well.”
The assist for Vaillancourt was her first of the season. She has proved to be a valuable player off the bench for the Lady Devils. Vaillancourt now has two goals and an assist on the season.
“Within minutes of Florence going on the pitch, she immediately impacted with that run down the wing and then cross in for Ella,” Winkworth said. “We’re a squad, and Florence demonstrated that tonight with a brilliant assist.”
In the 35th minute, just moments after ASU took the lead in the first half, Washington earned a corner. Sophomore goalkeeper Pauline Nelles made an amazing save diving toward the far goalpost. The shot was a header that redirected off a defender on its way to Nelles.
That was one of Nelles’ seven saves of the night and kept the score 1-0 at the time. But in the 85th minute, Nelles saved Washington’s initial shot but wasn’t able to get to the follow-up. That allowed Washington to tie the game 1-1, breaking Nelles’ clean sheet.
“I’m like, well, the one save she had to make in the first half from the corner kick was worthy of a clean sheet,” Winkworth said. “That’s part of having one of the best goalkeepers in the country. She can help contribute to a win like that.”
The Sun Devils didn’t lose the lead for long, though, as Colon delivered right away with the game-winning goal. The goal was her team-leading eighth of the season and likely her most improbable.
“It’s a great finish. I hope she doesn’t shoot from that distance too often,” Winkworth said with a smile. “But I’ll take it tonight.”
ASU has had a great start to its season, and a major contributor is its team comradery. Winkworth said the sense of togetherness on this team takes stress off him and his players. They’re all supporting each other.
“Sisterhood, that’s all I gotta say,” Colon said. “You come here, and they have your back no matter what. Even if you have a bad game or a good game, they’re still going to pat you on the back at the end of the day.”
Leave a Reply