(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
Arizona State women’s soccer fell short in a devastating overtime lost against Hawaii Friday night by a score of 1-0. It was ASU’s fourth overtime match of the season and second overtime loss.
Both teams’ defenses held their own for the two halves as regulation ended scoreless, however the Sun Devils looked much more active in overtime. Right when they seemed to be gaining momentum though, Hawaii midfielder Raisa Strom-Okimoto put a dagger through the check of ASU, as her unassisted shot found the back of the net, making its way past a challenging goalkeeper in Nikki Panas in the 96th minute.
The Rainbow Wahine came out strong right from the very first whistle, accumulating 6 shots in the first 25 minutes of the game. They went on to total 20 shots in the game, 10 of them on goal. ASU’s offense picked up throughout the game and would go on to tally for 19 shots, 8 of which were on goal.
While both teams struggled to finish chances off, the goalkeepers on the two squads shined. Hawaii’s goalkeeper, Alexis Mata, kept her team in the game with 8 saves. ASU’s freshmen goalkeeper, Panas, had another impressive outing picking up 8 saves, however none bigger than a sliding save in the 59th minute, as she was one-one with a Rainbow Wahine forward.
Disregarding the outcome of the game, Sun Devil fans were clearly disappointed with the officiating of the match. Two occasions included the 72nd minute, when fans were screaming and begging for a penalty as it appeared freshman forward Olive Jones was pulled to the ground in the penalty area, and a handball by a Wahine midfielder in the final seconds that wasn’t called and soon led to the play that saw Hawaii score the game-winning goal.
The Devils will try to put this game behind them as they look forward to an afternoon match against Weber State this Sunday that kicks off at 1 p.m.
