‘I told them we’ve just got to be us.’ ASU edges Waves to remain unbeaten

TEMPE — A corner kick for Arizona State soccer in the 27th minute of play was one of the few offensive opportunities for the Sun Devils to that point. Freshman midfielder Addison Baltodano sent the ball to the penalty area to senior forward Tatum Thomason, who was able to record ASU’s first shot attempt of the game in the 28th minute.

After the block from Pepperdine, Thomason recovered the ball and brought it back into the penalty area. As she went to attack, Waves’ redshirt senior midfielder Tabitha LaParl sent Thomason to the ground, prompting a penalty kick.

Thomason targeted the lower left side of the net, putting the ball away from Pepperdine sophomore goalkeeper Jilian Medvecky, who guessed the upper right corner.

“I can’t remember the play to be honest,” head coach Graham Winkworth said. “I didn’t actually see the foul…(I’m) really pleased that we managed to get a penalty. Fantastic that Tatum put it away. It’s a lot of pressure and (it) ultimately won the game, so, (I’m) delighted with that one.”

With a scoreline that failed to represent the relentless offensive attacks of both squads, ASU (5-0-1) remained undefeated after a 1-0 win against Pepperdine (2-3-1) in Tempe on Thursday night. 

“It was just an absolute great build to get to the ball there,” Thomason said. “It’s a total team effort. I just have to remember to calm myself down and put my foot through the ball exactly where I want to put it.”

Despite the early lead, the Sun Devils’ backline was kept under pressure by the Waves’ attack for much of the contest. Particularly in the first half, as a flurry of Pepperdine shots were parried away by ASU defenders before they could find their way on goal.

“We told (the defense) they need to block shots,” Winkworth said. “They needed to block crosses, they needed to put their body on the line, they needed to be prepared to break their nose for the team and just be brave, and they did that. They defended like warriors.”

By the end of the first half, the Waves had six shot attempts with none on goal to show for it.

“It was incredible to be honest,” senior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles said. “I was super happy with (the defense), especially with their blocks…I think that’s why we won today.”

Through six games, the Sun Devils have only conceded a free and corner kick goal, with zero goals against coming in open play.

Despite their opening goal coming in the first frame, the Sun Devils put forth a much stronger offensive display in the second half, though they were unable to double their advantage.

Even senior forward Cameron Valladares, who came into Thursday’s contest riding a five-game point streak, struggled to finish off second-half chances in the final third. 

The Woodland Hills, Calif., native settled on a deflected ball on the right side of the penalty box midway through the second half before sending a pass across to Baltodano. The cross caught Pepperdine off guard, but luckily for the Waves, a well-placed defender was there to prevent a shot on goal.

Despite nearly tripling its shot total in the second half, ASU was unable to score a second-half goal for the second consecutive home contest. 

“I told them I wanted to win the second half,” Winkworth said. “We failed in that, in a way…I told them we’ve just got to be us.”

Pepperdine’s offense made its share of strong pushes in the second half, requiring Nelles to make her first two saves of the game during a 10-minute period in which the Waves added five shots to their game total.

Nelles earned another hard-fought save during a scary moment in the 82nd minute. As Pepperdine pushed the ball up the middle, Nelles attempted a sliding grab for the ball near the top of the penalty area.

Although successful, she was quickly struck in the head by an incoming Waves forward. After being checked out extensively by the medical staff, she remained in the match.

“We’ve got wonderful athletic training staff,” Winkworth said. “They did a comprehensive check on her, and she didn’t have any issues with continuing the game.”

Nelles now has 22 career shutouts, currently with three in a row after others against the UNLV Rebels and the New Mexico State Aggies.

With five games left in ASU’s home stand, it will hope to keep the good times rolling in front of a raucous Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.

“(The fans) are so loud,” Nelles said. “I’m not even exaggerating…these people are loud.”

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