(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
Emotions and intensity both ran amuck in Friday’s showdown between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the University of Arizona Wildcats. The game came to a close at 1-0 in favor of the Sun Devils.
The most influential piece in the game would be the visible differences in the two teams defensive lines. While both teams ran a flat four in the back, the compact nature which makes ASU so successful did not transfer over to that of U of A.
The first incident where this was most evident was the Sun Devils’ first early goal scored by Freshman Madison Stark. Stark fed a ball to fellow freshman, Aly Moon, who easily split the Wildcats defense with a quick wall pass back to Stark who first timed a beautifully driven ball to the upper right 90, just out of the goalkeeper’s reach.
“For your right back to make that type of run, get all the way into the box, get fed a ball, and then absolutely just stuff it in the goal, you gotta love that effort,” head coach Kevin Boyd said.
The most offensive movement for the wildcats was generated off of the eight corner kicks allowed by the Sun Devil Defense. This was a product of the Wildcats’ persistence as the Sun Devils’ defense minimized shots but could not stop all of the offensive momentum.
A very small portion of the game was played in the middle-third of the field. We instead saw a lot of long balls over the top and big crosses. Neither team truly possessed well, but rather, relied on explosive offensive pieces and big clears.
In the last 20 minutes of the game, the effect of the heat became very prevalent. In an effort to keep offensive movement flowing, Sun Devil junior defender McKenzie Berryhill shifted up with the ball as well as getting back to maintain her deep control from her center defender position.
This shift allowed the Sun Devils to fire away on goal, keeping constant pressure on the University of Arizona’s back line. The Wildcats had a strategy change of their own towards the end of the game. They shifted to a 2-4-4, pushing more numbers up in an effort to knock in a goal of their own. While they got their biggest opportunities of the game through this, they still came up short.
“They found an open player… but fortunately Lady Luck smiled on us right then” Boyd said.
This matchup marked the final Pac-12 season game for both teams. This crucial win for the Sun Devils will most likely place them in postseason competition.
You can reach Michelle Minahen on Twitter @Meechmina or via email at mminahen@asu.edu
