(Photo: Steve Rodriguez/ASU Athletics)
The Arizona State Sun Devils dropped a critical Pac-12 match, as they fell to the Colorado Buffaloes 2-0.
This is the third loss in a row for the Sun Devils who have not scored a goal in over 295 minutes.
The Colorado Buffaloes managed to get a goal in the fourth minute thanks to a threaded pass from sophomore forward Brie Hooks to unmarked junior midfielder Olivia Pappalardo.
Similar to ASU’s game against Cal, the Sun Devils went on to retain the majority of the possession for the rest of the half. Despite looking like the dominant team, they could not find the back of the net before the 45th minute.
Quickly on in the second half, Colorado broke that pattern and proved that it could be a very physical team.
Hooks outpaced the Sun Devil back line almost consistently and forced junior defender McKenzie Berryhill, who had been playing more of a stopper role, to drop back into her usual center back position.
In the 74th minute, Hooks took advantage of a slow ASU’s transition onto defense, and ran the ball into the box to shoot and put Colorado up 2-0.
Shortly after in the 77th minute, Sara Tosti was hurt and had to be taken off of the field. Just three minutes after that, ASU received another injury. Senior defender Brianna Gonzales was hurt after a strong Colorado slide tackle.
Colorado forward Emily Paxton nearly made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute, but her shot deflected off the cross bar.
Arizona State has one more game this weekend against Utah. The Sunday match will be played in Salt Lake City, and will be transmitted on the Pac-12 Network.
Follow Anthony Marroquin on Twitter @tonymarro11 or email him at aamarroq@asu.edu
