ASU Soccer: Devils lose late, fall to disadvantaged Texas Tech

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

The Arizona State women’s soccer team traveled 109 miles south to Tucson on Friday as they began their journey in the University of Arizona Tournament.

ASU was two minutes away from the team’s fourth overtime game of the season, but Texas Tech freshman forward Ally Griffin thought the game should conclude differently.

The game started off quickly with a Texas Tech corner kick defended by the ASU defense. Sun Devil goal keeper Nikki Panas began the game strong, staying aggressive against the Texas Tech offense.

The Sun Devils soon took matters into their own hands, scoring off a corner kick 14 minutes into the game. Jemma Purfield served the ball into the box and found the foot of sophomore forward Christina Edwards, who scored her first goal of the season and gave the Devils a 1-0 lead.

Texas Tech didn’t take long to tie the game up, however, as two minutes later, Griffin scored her first goal of the night. It was a routine corner kick for the Red Raiders, but Griffin found the ball and headed it past Panas to tie the score.

At halftime, the game was still 1-1, then at the 52-minute mark, Texas Tech’s Carly Wickenheiser received a red card for a high boot that found the neck of ASU’ senior forward Jessica Raybe, who later received a yellow card in minute 78 of the game. As a result of the red card, the Red Raiders spent the rest of the game down one player.

With less than three minutes left in the game, Griffin was tightly marked, barely making her turn past the ASU defense and took a right footed shot. The ball ended up in the bottom left hand corner, squeaking by Panas.

Griffin’s second goal completed a hard task for the Red Raiders — playing a man down and coming back to beat ASU 2-1.

This marks the second game that Panas has allowed two goals during the game after a clean sheeted start against Boston University.

Overall, the match was one of the most physical contests the Sun Devils have played in all season. The Devils committed 15 fouls while the Red Raiders committed nine fouls. By the end of the game, Texas Tech was pressuring high on ASU despite being down a player, competing for any attempt to pull out a goal in the remaining minutes of the game.

The Sun Devils will play their second game in the tournament on Sunday, September 10, against Florida Gulf Coast at 3 p.m.

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

Liesl Babicka

Recent Posts

Skinner’s career night propels ASU to narrow victory in season opener

(Photo credit: Aishling Cavanaugh/WCSN) TEMPE — With Desert Financial Arena buzzing, Arizona State found itself…

5 hours ago

Sun Devils prepare for Big 12 debut in Adair’s third year

(Photo credit: Marina Willams/WCSN) Excitement is brewing for Arizona State women’s basketball as the Sun…

18 hours ago

Sun Devils put up complete performance in fall exhibition against GCU

(Photo: Maya Diaz/WCSN) As warmup music echoed throughout GCU ballpark, baseball bats pinged and cleats…

2 days ago

Takeaways: Sun Devils Clinch Bowl Eligibility With Win Over Oklahoma State

With 22 seconds remaining in the first half Arizona State football found itself a single…

2 days ago

No. 13 Sun Devils Extend Win Streak to 10, Earn Season Sweep Over No. 22 Utah

(Photo: Katherine Gore/WCSN) In a match one month ago, No. 13 Arizona State Volleyball won…

2 days ago

Sun Devil arms against pros in exhibition against USA Baseball

(Photo: Austin Hurst/WCSN) PHOENIX - Senior right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez walked off the mound in…

3 days ago