ASU Soccer: Strong 2024 defense anchored by new center back pairing

(Photo by: Hazel Foubert/WCSN)

TEMPE – The Arizona State Soccer program has been known for its defense in recent years. Last year its backline helped boost the team to the 2023 NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament before falling in the first round.

This season has seen that proficient defense take yet another step forward with senior defender Olivia Coleman and transfer junior defender Grace Gillard stepping up into larger roles. Junior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles has started every game in the current season and last and has seen what the 2024 Sun Devil defensive pairing has offered, up close.

“[Coleman] is incredible in defending, she is so good,” junior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles said. “She has blocked so many shots this season and she is going to block many more.”

Gillard’s – a transfer from Syracuse – long-ball playing ability from the defensive third has impressed the preseason second-team All-American goalie.

“[Gillard] is just a confident player that wants to play out and play soccer,” Nelles said.

1. Pauline Nelles Feature

1:45

(Video by Noah Reed/ WCSN)

The driving force of ASU’s defense is preseason second-team All-American goalie Pauline Nelles. The German native made the journey overseas, overcoming distance and a language barrier to become one of the nations best keepers.

Coleman has attended ASU all of her four college seasons but has scarcely been healthy during her Tempe tenure due to knee injuries and rehab. Coleman only appeared in 27 of 59 possible games through her first three seasons. She’s appeared in all 10 ASU has played in 2024. Coleman has rebounded and provided great leadership and experience to the defensive core of the Sun Devils.

“Every game she always shows up,” Gillard said. “She’s a very quick player, and that definitely helps in the back line because we can be aggressive. We know that if we do get caught out she can always cover.”

Gillard is the other half of the terrific defensive pair. She spent her first two years as a member of the Orange before taking her talents to the desert, where she has been thriving next to Coleman.

“It’s awesome to play with Grace, she’s just a great player,” Coleman said. “She always wants the ball, she’s going to find the right player and we just communicate so well. We’re always telling each other what’s going on, that is why we have been so successful.”

Though Gillard has been a wonderful addition to the defensive group for the Sun Devils, her impact arguably has been bigger off the pitch.

“She was a captain at Syracuse, she was a captain at Arsenal Academy, she was captain of the England Youth National Team,” Head Coach Graham Winkworth said. “You make the assumption that three teams don’t get it wrong from a leadership standpoint as well.

“We loved her ability on the soccer field but when three teams make you captain it probably tells you the next coach that you’ve got something about you from a leadership standpoint too.”

Though the ASU offense has stepped up this year (third in the Big 12 in goals scored), the Sun Devils have relied heavily on their defensive stalwarts. Gillard has logged 800 minutes, while Coleman has played 704, good for third and fifth on the team respectively. Both Coleman and Gillard have had stellar years up to this point and their trajectory only points up as their bond continues to grow stronger.

“[Coleman] is always covering for me and vice versa,” Gillard said. “So just being able to trust each other is the main thing.”