(Photo By: Maya Diaz)
The Arizona State women’s soccer team (7-3-3, 2-3-1) is heading to Waco, TX, to take on the Baylor Bears (6-5-3, 1-3-2) in a matchup that could prove a decisive moment in its season.
“We want to take this season one step at a time,” head coach Graham Winkworth said. “The first thing we need to do is to qualify for the postseason.”
Failure to secure a result Thursday night could leave ASU flirting with the possibility of missing out on the 2024 Sprouts Market Big 12 Soccer Championship, and ultimately the postseason altogether. Only the top eight teams in the final Big 12 standings make the conference tournament. ASU currently sits at ninth and with only a two-point cushion separating the Sun Devils from the 13th-place Iowa State Cyclones, it is important the Sun Devils walk out of this game with something to show for it on the standings. A failure to do so could drop them out of tournament contention in the Big 12.
After a three-game home stint that ended with one win and two losses, Arizona State is set to make its final road trip of the season. They are gearing up to play a Baylor squad that has struggled this season, with only one conference win, which came against Houston — the worst team in the Big 12 in terms of standings.
Going into this game, the Sun Devils have an immense need to turn things around on the defensive end. They gave up two goals against West Virginia, which at the time was tied for a season-high, before conceding four against Utah, which is the most since a game dating back all the way to last season. It’s clear the Sun Devils need to revamp their defense if they want any chance at finishing this season on a high note and with confidence heading into postseason play.
“It has been a combination of different things that have gone on,” fifth-year senior defender Lucy Johnson said. “We’ll watch film and see where we can change things around.”
As the ASU approaches the final stretch of the season, the urgency to address these defensive lapses becomes increasingly vital. With the postseason looming, Johnson’s acknowledgment of the need for improvement reflects the team’s commitment to not only learning from past mistakes but also rallying together to ensure they remain competitive in securing their spot in the Big 12 tournament.
Now offensively, the Sun Devils should thrive against this Baylor team that has struggled defensively up until this point of the season, allowing 14 goals in as many games played in 2024. With dynamic playmakers like forwards junior Enasia Colon and freshman Kierra Blundell leading the charge, Arizona State’s attack should be able to pose a significant challenge for the Bears. Given Baylor’s lackluster performance in containing offensive threats, the Sun Devils have every reason to believe they can exploit these weaknesses. If they can maintain their rhythm and capitalize on their scoring opportunities, this matchup could be one that ASU puts away, and puts away early.
Ultimately, with only five games left in the regular season, the Sun Devils are aiming to revamp both their emotional energy and on-field play. This road trip serves as an opportunity for the ASU to reset, refocus, and find the spark that’s been missing. A strong performance against Baylor could reignite its confidence and put the squad right back on track.
