TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State soccer hadn’t won a match against an SEC team at home since 2014, and head coach Graham Winkworth’s squad felt the pressure to change that Thursday night. 

 ASU (3-0-1) rose to the challenge and continued its streak of eight consecutive seasons with an undefeated record after four games with a 1-0 win over LSU (1-4) Thursday night in Tempe. Defense ultimately won it for the Sun Devils, something that Winkworth has continually emphasized during his tenure in the Valley. 

 Winkworth reflected on the history of the program, showing pride in his team’s accomplishments and belief in their ability going forward. 

 “I think it’s just a blessing that this group of girls are just trying to emulate some of the amazing things that some of the girls who have come before them have done,” Winkworth said. 

 The only goal of the entire match came in the 30th minute from ASU senior midfielder Emmie Ennis off a free kick for the Sun Devils, after a yellow card on LSU junior defender Amy Smith. 

 Ennis attributes ASU’s success this season in scoring on set pieces like the free kick to not only the team’s talent, but also their desire to get the ball into the net. 

 “We train a lot to capitalize on our opportunities,” Ennis said. “Set pieces are one of those things. I just put (the ball) in the direction that the most success will come from.” 

 The Sun Devils’ 15 total shots illustrated their hunger to get the ball to the back of the net. Junior forward Sierra Bergen led the charge with five shots of her own, bringing her season total to nine. 

 LSU, on the other hand, tallied 10 shots with three shots on goal in the match. ASU sophomore goalkeeper Kennedy Zorn kept the Tigers’ offense at bay with two saves and her second shutout of the season. 

 The entire ASU defense got involved in the shutout effort. The Sun Devils held senior forward Ava Galligan, one of the Tigers’ lead attackers, to only one shot in the entire match–a stark contrast to her 3.5 average shots per game entering the contest. 

 Galligan’s single shot in the 87th minute almost cost the Sun Devils the game, as the ball passed the outstretched hands of Zorn and bounced off the goalpost, spiking the heart rate of the stadium before fans breathed an audible sigh of relief. 

 Zorn said that not only was the shot from Galligan a scary moment, but the entire second half had her and her team on edge. 

 “It’s a pretty scary sport because the game can switch at any moment, and it’s staying disciplined and focused,” Zorn said. “I’m just so proud of all the girls.” 

 The win marks the second time the Sun Devils have recorded a shutout this season, the first coming last Sunday, when they took down Buffalo 5-0. 

 The match also marks Winkworth’s 80th win as ASU’s head coach, joining Kevin Boyd as the only two ASU coaches to hit the milestone. 

 Despite reaching the historic achievement, Winkworth focused his praises more on his team and their collective effort in not only this game but throughout the season as a whole. 

 Zorn said her team’s motivation lies in the goals they’ve set for themselves, like competing for the Big 12 title and making it to postseason play. 

 “Playing college soccer is hard, but let’s make the most out of it,” Zorn said. “We’re not going to come here and just have a mediocre season. We’re going to come here, and we’re going to win.” 

 The Sun Devils will stay in Tempe for their next match, a clash with Cal Poly on Aug 30. 

 “After we celebrate this win, we go to the next one,” Ennis said. “Take the win and focus on the next one tomorrow.”