TEMPE, Ariz. – It's been a rough two years for California senior Thelma Einarsdottir, who sat out all of the 2013 season with an injury. But on Friday evening, it was Einarsdottir who came through for the Bears as she, along with an unwavering defense, helped lead the California women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Arizona State in hostile Sun Devil Territory. With the win, Cal improves to 11-4-1 overall and 3-3-1 in Pac-12 play.

“It was good to see Thelma score a very good goal after a long layoff,” said California head coach Neil McGuire.

Einarsdottir last scored on Aug. 19, 2012 against San Jose State before an ACL tear sidelined her for the entirety of the 2013 season. She ended the dry spell in the 13^th minute against the Sun Devils, tapping a slot ball from Arielle Ship into the corner of the net.

It was the only goal of the night between the two teams. Cal tallied just five shots, while Arizona State notched 12. By halftime, the Sun Devils had outshot the Bears 7-2, but Cal's sturdy defense kept its opponents at bay. Arizona State managed just five shots in the second half, and Cal kept it fairly equal with three shots of its own. Despite ASU's 12-5 shot advantage, both Cal goalie Emily Boyd and her Sun Devil counterpart Chandler Morris needed just three saves apiece.

“It was a great performance,” Einarsdottir said. “We fought our hearts out. Everyone did a great job.”

Next up for the Bears is Arizona at 1 p.m. Sunday. The match will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks.

HEAD COACH NEIL MCGUIRE'S TAKE

McGuire says: We are very pleased with this one on the road against a very motivated Arizona State team. Our players had to battle for everything. We must credit ASU as they were the aggressor for much of the match.

GOLDEN BEAR GOALS

13' -- Thelma Einarsdottir (assisted by Arielle Ship) -- Ship played slot ball, Einarsdottir shot it into corner

Einarsdottir says: We just came out really hard. In terms of the goal, I got a lucky pick into the corner and followed it in with a run to the box. Ari (Arielle Ship) played me the perfect ball – the slot ball – so I couldn't do anything else but score.

NEWS & NOTES

• Cal is 11-4-1 overall and 3-3-1 in Pac-12 play
• Thelma Einarsdottir scored her first goal of the season. It was also her first score since Aug. 19, 2012, when Cal defeated San Jose State.
• Emily Boyd is now 10-4-1 in goal for Cal

NEXT UP

The Golden Bears continue their Grand Canyon State road trip with a romp at Arizona on Sunday at 1 p.m. The match will be televised live on the Pac-12 Network with Ann Schatz and Kyndra de St. Aubin on the call.

ON THE BOX SCORE

 SCORING SUMMARY:

  1.  12:38 CAL EINARSDOTTIR,THELMA (1) (SHIP,ARIELLE)

 Shots: California 5, Arizona State 12

 Saves: California 3 (BOYD,EMILY 3), Arizona State 3 (Morris,Chandler

 3)