ASU Takes Down UTEP in Senior Night Showdown

(Photo: Jack Simon/WCSN)

TEMPE — Arizona State rode a second-half onslaught to a blowout senior night victory over the University of Texas-El Paso for its sixth consecutive win Friday.

ASU (7-0-1) took home the victory against UTEP (3-5-1) on senior night with a four-goal clinic as it continued its undefeated streak on the season. This win marks the best start to a season Sun Devil soccer has had since the year 2000, though they boast an unbeaten record in non-conference play for the second consecutive year.

While the score tells a different story, ASU missed multiple early opportunities to widen the score in the first half as it struggled to find the back of the net. After failing to score on its first five shots, the Sun Devils went 1-0 up inside of 15 minutes thanks to a superb effort from senior forward Cameron Valladares, but failed to extend their lead before the break, missing eight of the nine shots on goal they had in the first frame.

“We created lots of chances, and we should have scored earlier and ended the game in the first half,” said head coach Graham Winkworth. “We didn’t do as well in the second half as we did in the first, but we managed to score more often and get the win.”

With three of the four goals coming in the second half, the Sun Devils capitalized on every opportunity, using set pieces to dissect the Miners’ defense.

“I’m delighted we were able to score in the second half,” Winkworth said. “Especially because of the way we scored them. We were literally going to name ASU ‘Set Piece University’.”

Although ASU’s defense has been impactful in its undefeated season so far, UTEP would score its only goal on the night following a deflected corner kick midway through the second half.

“We haven’t really let too many goals in this season,” Valladares said. “That’s a testament to our defense. I think that was our first goal allowed in open play. So different parts of the team have been coming together really well, and it’s really nice to have that sense of if something happens, the team will be ok.”

ASU made the most of its chances later in the match, scoring from every angle after missing a number of its chances in the first half.

“We knew that 1-0 was not a very safe lead to have at all,” Valladares said. “We were a little slow going into the second half, but we’ve come into games where we were up 1-0 and made the most of it.”

In addition to the win, ASU soccer celebrates a momentous occasion for the history of the program as it celebrates 30 years of Sun Devil soccer in Tempe

“You really can’t beat being a part of history. Especially with the turnout we had for senior night,” said senior midfielder Tatum Thomason. “History is being made with us being unbeaten, but being a part of this team is amazing, and the history behind it is just as amazing too.”

“It was awesome to see so many of our alumni and former players come back and be honored,” said Winkworth. “Having our seniors being honored, our alumni being honored, and the turnout of the stadium tonight, it’s just amazing to see.”

ASU now prepares for conference play as the Sun Devils plan to use this momentum to keep their undefeated streak alive on Sept. 18 as they play against BYU.