(Tempe, AZ) Second-ranked UCLA had to sweat – literally and figuratively – to extend its winning streak to 11 games and remain unbeaten in the Pac-12 on Sunday. The No. 24 Sun Devil soccer team gave another inspired defensive effort and was less than two minutes from extending its unbeaten streak to six before a Bruin goal in the 89th minute enabled UCLA to escape the desert with a 1-0 win.
From a statistical standpoint, the Sun Devils were on the short end in shots (23-5), shots on goal (11-3) and corner kicks (11-4).
Goalkeeper Pauline Nelles, who on Thursday set the single-season school record for most shutouts (nine), gave another standout performance as the sophomore tied her single-game career high with nine saves. The game’s lone goal, scored by UCLA’s Reilyn Turner off a corner kick in the 89th minute, was the first goal allowed by Nelles and the Sun Devil defense in 336 minutes of play, a span that went back to the 22nd minute of ASU’s 5-1 win over Washington State (Oct. 8).
“Today there are a lot of mixed emotions,” ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. “I am very proud of how hard the team worked. They battled one of the most talented and well-coached teams in the country. It was almost a brilliant way to thank the seniors on the pitch with a gutsy effort.
“Ultimately though we lost the game on a set piece where multiple responsibilities were not undertaken correctly. As head coach that is on me, and I will work harder this week with the players and staff to make sure we are better in these situations moving forward because right now it feels heartbreaking to lose in 1-0 in the last two minutes in such a manner.”
For UCLA, it was just the second time this season it was held to a single goal, the only other instance coming in its lone loss of the season at BYU, a 3-1 setback on Aug. 31. The Bruins came into Sunday’s game averaging 3.71 goals per game in Pac-12 play, including 4.5 goal per game in its previous four contests.
With the loss, the Sun Devils (10-3-4, 5-2-1 Pac-12) are now tied for fourth place in the Pac-12 standings with Cal (7-3-6, 4-0-4). The Bruins are currently atop the standings (14-1, 8-0), followed by fifth-ranked Stanford (14-0-2, 7-0-1) and No. 11 USC (9-3-2, 5-1-2).
Keri Matthews led ASU with two shots, including one shot on goal. Also accounting for a shot on frame were Enasia Colon and Ella Opkvitne.
The best scoring opportunity for either team in the first half came late in the 40th minute when UCLA was awarded a penalty kick for a foul committed by the Sun Devils inside the box.
Given the Bruins had made all nine of their penalty kicks coming into the game, and the player taking the penalty kick, Jayden Perry, had made a team-leading three penalty kicks this season, it seemed a certainty UCLA would be taking the lead after Perry’s kick. On the flip side, Perry would be taking the kick against arguably the Pac-12’s top goalkeeper in Nelles.
If ever there was ever a play that illustrated the quote, ‘Never tell me the odds,’ it was the tremendous save Nelles made as she stretched out to make a two-handed save and keep the game scoreless.
Nelles, who is second in the Pac-12 in shutouts and goals against average (0.53), made another remarkable save in the 74th minute, as she was able to maintain her concentration after the ball initially danced around the box like a pinball machine.
For the Sun Devils, the loss was their first of the season on their home field (6-1-3).
Following Sunday’s game, the Sun Devils honored seniors Lieske Carleer, Hannah Leitner, Gabi Rennie and Suzuka Yosue as part of Senior Day festivities.
“I want to personally thank the seniors for all their hard work,” Winkworth said of the quartet of seniors who were honored. “I love them all so much and cannot wait to get back to work on Tuesday as we prepare for the remaining part of our season.”
The Sun Devils will play their final three games of the regular season on the road, starting with a trip to the Mountain schools to face Utah on Thursday (5 p.m. MST) and Colorado on Sunday (11 a.m. MST). The following week, ASU will play its regular season finale at Arizona (Fri., Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.).
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Steve Rodriguez
Click on Logo
