TEMPE – Arizona State women’s soccer coach Graham Winkworth reached a career milestone in early September when he notched his 250th career win when the Sun Devils defeated Denver University.
ASU backed up that landmark win by beating UTEP on Senior Night Friday to up its record to 7-0-1. But the Sun Devils don’t have much time to celebrate as they face their stiffest test of the season so far when they host to 12th-ranked BYU (5-1-1) Thursday night in the Big 12 Conference opener for both programs.
Winkworth gave credit for the career mark to the people surrounding him throughout his career.
“It means a lot,” Winkworth said. “I’ve been very blessed to work with a lot of credible people over the last 22 and a half years – some amazing coaches, staff, and most importantly players.
“It meant a lot (to reach 250 victories), not just to me but to my whole family: my boys (and) my wife who have been there supporting me through all of it. It almost felt like I was retiring or something, I got another 250 more to get. It was really special to have it part of Arizona State because this is my home, and I love it.”
Since taking over the program in 2016, Winkworth has posted an overall record of 74-64-22 at ASU and 251-163-37 as a college head coach.
“It was a very special experience,” said Meighan Farrell, a senior captain who plays outside back for the Sun Devils. “It was super awesome for him to be able to get that win here at ASU. The girls just worked super hard for him to get it, and it’s a special group of people.”
Grace Gillard, a senior captain who plays center back, said the team gifted their coach a customized shirt after the game, along with a Gatorade soaking.
“Before the game we signed a … shirt with his name on it,” she said. “We signed that, and we had a ball as well. Then after the game … we dumped the Gatorade bucket over him. That’s always fun. Iit was fun to be there with him,”
The Sun Devils quickly put the milestone victory behind them and took care of business on Senior Night against the Miners. Before that match, Winkworth was excited to celebrate with his seniors and was looking forward to showing them the same love he received after his 250th win.
“We’re really blessed to have a wonderful group of 10 girls, (a) big group,” he said of the senior class. “They’ve been so supportive of me and my family over the years.”
The team was confident in their coach and with each other heading into the game as nothing less than a win was expected.
“Hopefully we’re going to win – we’re going to win, and I already know it,” Farrell said before the UTEP matchup. “Graham (Winkworth) set us up. He knows what to expect. We know what to expect, and it’s going to be a great turnout. Super excited.”
Farrell’s prediction was on the mark as the Sun Devils easily handled UTEP 4-1 with 1,440 in attendance as they built momentum toward their Big 12 showdown with the Cougars.
Four different Sun Devils found the back of the net against UTEP with Cameron Valladares, Tatum Thomason, Lucy Fazackerley and Addison Baltodano all contributing a goal.
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