(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
The Sun Devils begin conference play at Berkeley, California tomorrow afternoon when they take on Cal at 1 pm.
The Sun Devils were impressive during the non-conference slate. With five victories under their belt, ASU already has as many wins as they did all of last year and have won their last three games while not allowing a single goal in that stretch.
The Pac-12 however is a complete different and tougher challenge and that’s what the 5-2 Sun Devils have to look forward too, and it all begins with the 4-3-1 Golden Bears.
Last year’s matchup between the two sides ended up being a hard fought one ending in a 1-1 tie in double overtime.
Both ASU and Cal stand in the middle of the Pac-12 in goals with the Sun Devils notching 12 so far this season and the Golden Bears 15.
“They have kids who are real threats up top,” ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. “All their front five to six are very good, so we’re definitely expecting to have to switch on like we have been the last few games defensively if we want to shut them out.”
Some notable players that ASU will definitely try to limit are upperclassmen forwards Kayla Fong, Abi Kim and Miranda Nild.
Fong and Kim lead the Golden Bears in points, both notching three goals and an assist so far this season.
Nild has started each game she’s played this season and has a goal and an assist from her last two games.
“She’s very dangerous both front and back to goal and can hit it well with either foot,” Winkworth said about Nild.
The Sun Devils will be looking to keep it’s strong defensive form and have it be the winning factor for them. ASU is tied in first in the Pac-12 for fewest goals allowed during non-conference play with just allowing three goals this season. California on the other hand has allowed 13.
Winkworth has stated many times throughout the season of his uncertainty about his best 11. With still many unanswered questions about ASU’s lineup and who will exactly earn a consistent starting spot, expect ASU to use their depth against California.
“There so much quality and so much depth,” Winkworth said about his squad. “It’s great to have that type of competition (within the team) and it’s exciting for the future.”
Last match against Weber State, ASU used their depth and ability to spread the ball from side to side to fatigue the Wildcats and take advantage of their chances on goal. With their strong defense, the Sun Devils could very well have the same type of plan against California. The Golden Bears however, will certainly try to figure out ways for their experienced offense to score against ASU early and keep the lead.
Saturday will be the only match for ASU this weekend as they return to Tempe next week to face Colorado and Utah.
