(Photo By: Katherine Gore/ WCSN)
TEMPE — After starting 1-1-1 in conference play, Arizona State Soccer has hit a rut. Since a 1-1 tie on September 22nd, ASU has only won two matches and has been outscored 8-16 in that time frame. The Sun Devils now sit 8-5-3 overall but just 3-5-1 against Big 12 opponents.
Though it has been a struggle for the Sun Devils there is still hope on the horizon if they are able to get hot at the right time. With just two games left in the season head coach Graham Winkworth will look to get his team playing their best soccer of the year heading into the week of the Big 12 tournament.
Next on the docket for ASU will be the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas comes into this matchup with an overall record of 7-5-4 and an inner-conference record of 4-4-1. Kansas has played well over the last week, tying BYU 2-2 on October 10th, shutting out Utah in a 2-0 win on the 13th, and taking down Arizona 4-0 on the 17th.
The Jayhawks now have their sights set on the Sun Devils in the penultimate match of the regular season. Kansas relies on freshman midfielder Jillian Gregorski, redshirt sophomore forward Saige Wimes, and junior forward Lexi Watts.
Gregorski, though only a freshman, leads the Jayhawks in both goals and points including two goals in the victory over Arizona. Gregorski boasts an outstanding .320 shooting percentage and has been the focal point of the Jayhawks offensive attack so far this season.
Gregorski doesn’t do it all herself however, as both of her goals against Arizona were assisted by the aforementioned Wimes. Wimes is tied for the team lead in assists after that contest against the Wildcats. She now has four helpers on the year along with graduate midfileder Makayla Merlo and sophomore defender Caroline Castans.
Watts has been a great contributor all year for the Jayhawks, not only did she notch her sixth goal of the year against Arizona but that goal moved her firmly into second place on the team in the category.
All three of these Kansas playmakers are looking to boost The Jayhawks’ standing in the Big 12 before the conference tournament next week.
ASU needs a win against Kansas to help get their season back on track, otherwise, it could be too little too late for the Sun Devils, who have just two matches left in the regular season before the Big 12 tournament.
