ASU Soccer: Sun Devils lack passion in loss to Beavers

(Photo: Patricia Vicente/ WCSN)

The Arizona State Sun Devils (10-3-2, 2-3-2) fell 3-1 to the Oregon State Beavers (6-7-3, 0-5-2) on Thursday evening’s matchup at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium to kick-off ASU’s final homestand of the season.

ASU has struggled to earn a win in conference play so far with only four matches remaining and three of those on the road.

The winless streak has proven to be frustrating for head coach Graham Winkworth and his squad.

“I hate it when I have to say a team wants it more than us,” Winkworth said. “That’s something that’s inexcusable. Today, Oregon State came ready to fight and they deserve to be in front. All credit to them.”

ASU fell behind late in the first half with back-to-back goals from redshirt sophomore Mckenzie Weinert and freshman Abby Schwartz the Beavers. Weinert leads the team with nine goals this season.

Conversations and reflection at half time have resulted as an important aspect of ASU’s communication strategy among the players this season.

“We wanted to just start fresh,” senior captain Kylie Miniefield said. “We talked about passion. Just playing simple. We’re just struggling to connect with simple passes. This game just wasn’t our game.”

It’s not just about what is happening on the field, but also about the off-field mentality of every single player on the team.

“It’s all a mentality,” senior Christina Edwards said. “I think a lot of girls are struggling to find that ‘why’. ‘Why do you love to play soccer?’ For me, it’s my aunt… A lot of girls haven’t found what their ‘why’ is yet.”

A little over 20 minutes into the second half, Schwartz found the back of the net for the Beavers again with a bar down goal past Giulia Cascapera to put OSU up 3-0 with about 20 minutes left to play.

Schwartz is behind Weinert with 5 goals and is tied for second on the team with goals after scoring two in the match against the Sun Devils.

The Sun Devils would end up responding with a goal from freshman Dai Williams in the last ten minutes of play.

However, it wasn’t enough to complete a comeback for ASU.

A familiar face that was missing from ASU’s starting XI was sophomore Marleen Schimmer. The German was benched to start a game for the first time all season.

“She just has a different role,” Winkworth said when asked about the sophomore’s absence on the field to start the game. “Soccer in college is not an 11-person sport. It’s a 15- or 16-person sport. She had a different role. If she wants the role that she had before where she’s starting and getting more minutes, then she knows what she has to show in training and games on a daily basis, and she has to work hard.”

While Pac-12 play hasn’t been smooth sailings for the Sun Devils, they must focus on the present.

“Tonight, wasn’t good enough,” Miniefield said. “Everyone on the pitch, off the pitch, anyone watching the game. We lacked passion all across the field until the last 15 minutes. It’s not acceptable, but it’s the truth. Walking away from this one is really disappointing.”

The Sun Devils will be back on Sunday at noon in Tempe for their last home match as well as senior day for the 2019 season against the Oregon Ducks.