ASU Soccer: Sun Devils look to break out against Colorado and Utah

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

Arizona State soccer continues their road trip this weekend, as they travel to face Colorado on Thursday and Utah on Sunday in the final fourth of the regular season.

The Sun Devils (4-8-2) have had a challenging 2017 season so far, as Pac-12 play has proved to be an uphill battle for them in the past couple weeks. The Devils come into the game on a four-game losing streak against highly ranked California teams and Oregon. ASU looks to secure a much-needed win this weekend to boost both morale and their record.

ASU has dropped in the Pac-12 ranks, where they now claim the number 10 spot. Although they’ve struggled in their recent away games, the Sun Devils have not yet given up hope.

Junior transfer Jemma Purfield has continued to lead her team in goals since day one, as she has since racked up four goals and three assists for 11 total points thus far.

Freshman goalkeeper Nikki Panas has also demonstrated her value to the team in her first season with the program, as she’s combined for two shutouts and holds a 1.43 goals against average, which ranks her 8th all-time for a single season. However, Panas, who was injured in the game against UCLA, missed ASU’s match against USC and the recent match vs. Oregon.

First in line for this weekend’s match ups is Colorado (7-5-3). The Buffaloes are coming off a three-game losing streak after playing many of the teams that ASU fell to as well.

CU and ASU have similar records this season, as both teams are 1-4-1 in the Pac-12 and close to each other in the conference standings, where CU ranks 8th.

One key player for Colorado this season has been Becca Rasmussen, a senior transfer who is a driving force on offense. Rasmussen leads her team with five assists, and has wowed both teammates and head coach Danny Sanchez with her quickness and athletic ability.

Following Thursday’s match against the Buffs, the Sun Devils then travel north on Sunday, where they will take on the Utah Utes (5-7-2) to finish up their weekend of away games.

Ranked last in the Pac-12, the Utes have had little luck this season, as they still look to claim their first win in conference play. They’re current on a five-game losing streak and 0-5-1 in Pac-12 matches.

Historically speaking, the Utes are 4-5-1 when playing the Sun Devils and have won all their games against ASU when playing with home field advantage.

Utah ranks fourth in their conference with 22 goals, seven of which have been scored by junior forward Hailey Skolmoski. Skolmoski has been named to the 2017 MAC Hermann Watch List and is ranked fourth in the Pac-12 for goals.

With the toughest match ups of the season behind them, ASU will need to step up their game to improve their record before the season ends in a couple weeks.

Faced with similarly-skilled teams in Colorado and Utah, the Sun Devils should be able to dominate all aspects of the field this weekend. Hoping for keeper Panas to return to the field on Thursday, the team will forge on with Purfield leading the offense as they look to rack up the score.

ASU will finish up their road stretch before they return home with Colorado on Thursday at 2 p.m. and Utah on Sunday at 1 p.m.