(Photo: Xavier Litman/WCSN)
For the first time this season, Arizona State soccer will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15 against Colorado College on a losing streak. The Sun Devils had opened up the season 7 games unbeaten with 4 wins and 3 ties before their Arizona Classic matchup with Texas Tech in Tuscon last Sunday. Even though head coach Graham Winkworth’s team lost 1-0 against its future Big 12 foe, the performance wasn’t a huge cause for concern for him. He was pleased with the defensive effort from the team.
“Well, it was not the result we wanted today but there were a lot of positives we can take from the game…We really limited their opportunities.” Winkworth said per Sun Devil Athletics.
Sophomore goalie Pauline Nelles has spearheaded a strong Sun Devil defense this season. Her three goals against, so far, are currently tied for the lowest in the Pac-12. Her 90 percent save percentage is the best in Pac-12.
While the defense has hardened, The Sun Devil attack has gone cold as of late. Sophomore forward Enasia Colon, who scored four goals in her first four games, hasn’t scored in their last four matches. Her team overall has only managed two goals in the last four games, which Winkworth sees as a necessary improvement.
“We must continue to grow in the attacking third,” Winkworth said. “We found ourselves in some good positions but lacked both the quality and desire with the final ball and attacking crosses.”
The Sun Devils will have as good of a chance as any to reignite their scoring prowess in their last non-conference game against the currently winless Mountain West side Colorado College on Friday. The Tiger’s defense has been especially lenient, allowing 21 goals in six games so far this season. They’ve allowed 14 of those in the last three games alone.
It’s a great opportunity for ASU to get back in the win column and build momentum with conference play on the horizon. Last year the Sun Devils went into conference play undefeated through non-conference play. They then went on to beat Colorado and California until they finally fell to Stanford, marking their first loss of the year. Colorado College on Friday will serve as a final tuneup before conference play begins for ASU against Oregon State the following Friday, Sept. 22.
Colorado College is coming off a 3-0 loss to Army on Sept. 10 and will be looking to finally turn the tide of its rapidly declining season in Tempe. The Tigers will also open their conference play, the following week on Thursday, Sept. 21 against Boise State.
