(Tucson, AZ) For the first time since the 2021 season, the Sun Devil soccer team was on the losing end of a regular season, non-conference game as the Sun Devils fell to Texas Tech 1-0 at the Arizona Classic on Sunday. For the Sun Devils, the loss ended a streak of 16 regular season, non-conference games without a defeat (11-0-5).
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Texas Tech (6-0-2) took the game’s first shot coming off a corner kick in the seventh minute.
After not taking a corner kick in Thursday’s win over Utah State, the Sun Devils (4-1-3) earned one in the 10th minute.
Olivia Coleman blocked a pair of dangerous Texas Tech scoring threats in the 13th minute.
The Red Raiders got inside the box for another shot in the game’s 15th minute, but Pauline Nelles (five saves on Sunday) made sure the game remained scoreless with her first save of the game.
Olivia Coleman blocked a pair of dangerous Texas Tech scoring threats in the 13th minute.
The Red Raiders got inside the box for another shot in the game’s 15th minute, but Pauline Nelles (five saves on Sunday) made sure the game remained scoreless with her first save of the game.
Nelles came up through with an outstanding effort in the 40th minute, leaping high to prevent a goal and keep the game scoreless.
Enasia Colon accounted for ASU’s first shot of the game in the 18th minute. The shot was on frame but saved by TTU goalkeeper Madison White.
Nelles came up through with an outstanding effort in the 40th minute, leaping high to prevent a goal and keep the game scoreless.
Second Half
Keri Matthews attempted the first shot (blocked) of the second half in the 49th minute.
In the 69th minute, Colon dribbled into the box and set up a good look for Gabi Rennie, but White was in position to make the save.
The Red Raiders scored the game’s first goal on a set piece early in the 73rd minute when Macy Blackburn’s corner kick was struck via a header by Hannah Anderson.
Nelles came off her line to break up another TTU scoring threat in the 74th minute.
Ella Opkvitne took a shot from distance in the 78th minute that was gathered in by White.
Noteworthy
Sunday’s loss was ASU’s first in a regular season, non-conference game since Sept. 5, 2021, when it was defeated by No. 17 LSU 5-2 in Tempe. The Sun Devils are now 31-6-6 in regular season, non-conference games going back to 2018, including an 20-1-6 mark since 2020.
Texas Tech’s goal was only the third of the season given up by the Sun Devils. Nelles now has a GAA of only 0.38 for the season. She came into Sunday’s game with five shutouts.
The style of the two teams allowed for a crisp, fluid match as only five fouls were called: ASU (3), Texas Tech (2).
This was ASU’s third early start in a four-game stretch. Sunday’s game started at 9 a.m. MST after both of its Sun Devil Classic games last week were 10 a.m. MST starts. Temperatures were in the 90s throughout Sunday’s game.
Sunday’s game was the sixth all-time meeting between the Sun Devils and Red Raiders with all the matches taking place at the Arizona Classic.
Quoting head coach Graham Winkworth
On the result
“Well, it was not the result we wanted today but there were a lot of positives we can take from the game. Texas Tech is a very talented and athletic team and [Pauline Nelles] only really had to make one big save in the game outside of the goal. We really limited their opportunities.”
On the team’s defensive play
“I was pleased that we once again did not concede a goal in open play but I was very disappointed to lose the match on a set piece. We have to get better in these areas in both penalty boxes. We have to have greater desire to put our head on things.”
On what the team needs to work on and perspective at this point in the season
“We must continue to grow in the attacking third. We found ourselves in some good positions but lacked both the quality and desire with the final ball and attacking crosses. We are an extremely young group with 20 freshmen and sophomores so overall it was a good day where we learned we can compete with top quality opponents who have lots of experience.”
UP NEXT
The Sun Devils will conclude non-conference play on Friday (7 p.m. MST) when they host Colorado College. Click here for ticket information.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Steve Rodriguez
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