(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
The Pac-12 conference isn’t normally the first conference that comes to mind when one thinks of NCAA Women’s soccer. Historically, the conference that dominates the women’s side is the ACC.
But, things have taken a turn for the Pac-12. The Pac-12 conference has become one of the dominating conferences in women’s collegiate soccer. In the past four seasons, University of Southern California and UCLA have both won the NCAA DI National Tournament.
The Pac-12 continues to flourish with success and competition, which means ASU needs to keep up with the trend by being successful in the conference and competing with their strong-willed opponents.
In the 2016-2017 season, the Sun Devils finished last in the Pac-12 with a conference play record of 1-9-1, winning their only game against the Washington Huskies.
However, much has changed since a year ago for the Sun Devils. For instance, the team has a new head coach, Graham Winkworth.
Winkworth is no stranger to playing programs with a lucrative history. When he was at South Alabama he led his team to its first NCAA Tournament game where they played Louisiana State University, pulling out a 4-0 victory.
His team also played Florida State two years in a row in the NCAA Tournament.
For others on the Sun Devil squad, it will be their first time ever contending against Pac-12 teams.
Freshman forward Olive Jones will be tested throughout the rest of the season, not only physically with defenders, but scoring against goalkeepers. Stanford goalkeeper Lauren Rood has participated in U.S. National Team camps at U15, U17 and U19.
Players like these will force Jones to grow as a player to be successful.
On the other end for the Devils is freshman goalkeeper Nikki Panas. Her national play with the U15 and U17 Polish National Team could help bring experience when facing players such as UCLA forward Hailie Mace, who has scored six goals this season and forward Julia Hernandez with five goals. Both players also have national level experience.
This season the Sun Devils already have their work cut out for them in conference play. But, if the Sun Devils play the way they played against Weber State, their Pac-12 opponents might be in for a surprise.
Against Weber State, ASU only gave up one corner kick the entire game. A huge improvement from allowing 38 corner kicks in the past seven games. The team also had a strong appearance in the midfield winning almost every single 50/50 ball. But, the Sun Devils need to keep this play up otherwise it could be difficult latter half of the season.
According to the September 19 NCAA rankings, five Pac-12 teams are ranked.
UCLA is ranked No. 1, Stanford No. 2, University of Southern California No. 10, University of California No. 13 and Utah as No. 25.
ASU starts off conference play against Oregon State on Friday, September 22 at 7 p.m. at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
The team then moves on to Berkeley to play California Thursday, September 28 and then one hour south to play Stanford Sunday, October 1.
