(Photo by: Hazel Foubert/ WCSN)
TEMPE — The Arizona State women’s soccer team faces a critical home matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats this Sunday night. It’s a game the Sun Devils need to take care of to stay on track for their postseason aspirations.
Momentum and postseason positioning are on the line so it’s not just about securing three points — it’s about making a statement and keeping their campaign on track. A slip-up here could severely hurt their chances moving forward, making this clash one they cannot afford to lose if they hope to stay competitive in their conference and beyond.
The Sun Devils will be without head coach Graham Winkworth for this matchup who received a red card in ASU’s previous match, Thursday night against West Virginia. This absence could impact Arizona State’s in-game adjustments, but the Sun Devils should be capable of managing his absence with their deep roster and strong home form.
For Cincinnati, key players will have to step up to challenge ASU. The Bearcats forward Rylee Felton -who leads the team with six goals this season – will be crucial in attack. Her ability to create space and generate scoring chances will test Arizona State’s defense. Felton has taken 17 shots this season, converting 35% of them—an impressive rate that makes her one of Cincinnati’s more dangerous players.
Graduate Forward Ellie Flower is another Bearcat to watch. She has 3 goals and 2 assists this season, making her a key playmaker in the team’s midfield. Flower’s ability to distribute the ball and maintain possession will be important as Cincinnati faces an ASU team known for their quick transitions.
On the defensive end, under the bright lights of Tempe, the Cincinnati Bearcats’ defense will face one of their toughest tests yet, in this high-stakes night game. The backline will be called upon to dig deep, relying on every ounce of grit and discipline to weather the desert storm of Arizona State’s relentless attack. The Bearcats will need their veteran defensive leaders to rise to the occasion. These players include the likes of graduate goalkeeper Anna Rexford, who has made 29 saves so far this season, and junior defender Maddie Swingle who has started all 11 games for the Bearcats thus far.
Rexford’s shot-stopping ability has kept the Bearcats in tight matches all season, but she’ll need to be at her best to handle Arizona State’s strong attack. The Bearcats have allowed 43 shots on goal, which could be a point of concern as they face a potent ASU offense carried by Kierra Blundell and Enasia Colon.
Ultimately, Cincinnati’s midfield and defense will need to hold firm, while Felton and Floore must find ways to creatively break through ASU’s strong defense if the Bearcats want any chance at securing a result in Tempe.
This matchup marks a crucial turning point for the Sun Devils and could define the trajectory for the rest of their season. A loss would drop them to 1-3-1 in Big 12 play, a position that could be difficult to recover from as they chase postseason hopes. On the other hand, a win would push them right back in that .500 range, which would offer a fresh start and change in momentum to what has been a lackluster start in their inaugural Big 12 campaign. This game holds the potential to either solidify their struggles or reignite their season. Every shot, every save, and every tackle will feel like the defining moment. The Sun Devils need to show that they can seize the moment and deliver when it matters most.
