(Liesl Babicka/WCSN)
In a game that’s been circled on the calendar since the beginning of the season, Arizona State hosts rival University of Arizona in its final regular season game Friday.
Both teams have failed to live up to expectations this season, as the Wildcats will enter the game 8-9-1, and 3-7 in the Pac-12, while ASU is 6-10-2, and 1-8-1 in conference play.
But the disappointment each team has undergone this season doesn’t take away from the heat of the rivalry.
“We love rivalry games,” said senior defender Mckenzie Grossman. “We’re excited, we’re going to treat it like any other game, and we’re just going to go out as hard as we can and try to get that W.”
The Devils are looking to end a six-game losing streak and get their first, and what would be only, Pac-12 win at home. They have not been victorious in front of their home fans since beating Cal State Fullerton 2-0 on September 16.
On the other side, the Wildcats are looking to finish their season on a hot streak, as they have won two of their last three matches. The highlight of that run came in their last game, a 2-1 win over No. 21 California.
Head coach Kevin Boyd talked about the team’s approach going into the game.
“We have to bring a different type of game,” coach Boyd said. “We need to still have our energy and our excitement that we played with the last couple. As long as we continue that we’re going to keep battling and stay in. We’re going to have to play with a different strategy against them though.”
Specifically, Arizona will be a more similar team skill wise to ASU than the Cardinal, a team that coach Boyd referred to as “the Barcelona of women’s soccer.” Both Arizona and ASU allow about 1.4 goals per game, while Stanford allows 0.8 goals per game. Also, the Cardinal lead the Pac-12 in scoring with 2.4 goals per game, while Arizona scores a less intimidating 1.5.
The team will keep the same lineup they had Sunday though, with the exception of one change.
“I think [Kylie Miniefield] will earn her way back into the midfield,” coach Boyd said. “I thought she played well Sunday, I was excited with that. We’re still deciding on a couple of other spots but there shouldn’t be any significant changes.”
Additionally, this game has an impact beyond soccer as the two schools are competing in the Territorial Cup. The trophy is awarded to whichever of the two rivaling schools wins more head-to-head matchup amongst the twenty varsity sports in which they compete by the end of the year.
“We want to earn a point for our athletic department and our school,” coach Boyd said. “We’re always representing our school, but very much so in this moment.”
The game will kick off at 3:00 p.m. Friday in Tempe and will conclude the Sun Devils’ season.
