(Photo: Brendan Belfield/WCSN)
The Sun Devils’ season will be defined by two factors: set piece missteps and Nicole Douglas scoring goals.
Both were on display in the Arizona State Sun Devils’ (10-8-2) overtime loss to rivals University of Arizona Wildcats (5-13). The Sun Devils rallied to tie the game after conceding in the 13th minute to Arizona redshirt senior forward Jill Aguilera. Aguilera scored the opening goal and converted a penalty kick in overtime to take all three points for the Wildcats in the 2-1 thriller. In doing so, Aguilera became Arizona’s all-time leading goal scorer.
Early in the game, Arizona State controlled possession and put pressure on its rivals. A hard tackle on senior forward Nicole Douglas set the tone for a tightly contested battle. The Wildcats won a free kick on the outer left side of the Sun Devil’s box and took full advantage. Aguilera stepped up to swing in a cross but it instead sailed over freshman goalkeeper Julia Ortega to jump to an early 13th-minute lead. Catching everyone by surprise, Ortega couldn’t do anything about the cross.
Set pieces have been an issue all season and on Friday it cost ASU the game in Tucson.
The goal against the run of play swung momentum in Arizona’s favor as they piled shots at Ortega. The battle in midfield also tipped in Arizona’s favor with quick passes beating the Sun Devils and leading to shots on goal.
Once Douglas had the ball in the Wildcat’s box, she was brought down after getting her legs tangled up with a defender but the referee quickly waved off the Sun Devil’s penalty shouts.
In the first half, the Sun Devils didn’t get too many looks on goal. Crosses from the right side were a positive for ASU but the final products weren’t accurate enough. Senior forwards Cori Sullivan and Olivia Nguyen dribbled past defenders but couldn’t find a teammate in the box.
Taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, the Wildcats didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal.
Arizona’s offense stayed aggressive creating chance after chance. Ortega made save after save early in the second half to keep her team in the game. The Sun Devil forwards responded by causing panic in the Wildcat box. Sullivan had a great opportunity to level the game after a cross skipped past defenders in the box, fell to her feet, and forced a save from Arizona’s goalie.
A common theme was Arizona State having long spells of possession in the attacking third but being unable to capitalize. The offense had good build-up on the right wing but lacked a final incisive pass.
Douglas was kept in check for most of the game unable to give her team an offensive spark. The nation’s top goalscorer couldn’t influence the Sun Devil offense for most of the game.
Arizona State’s equalizer came in the 82nd minute after freshman defender Lauren Kirberg’s perfectly placed cross found Douglas’ head to level the game. Her 19th goal of the season keeps her firmly in first for goals across the country.
Heading into overtime, the Wildcats quickly set the tone by making a darting run down the left side. Corner kicks once again spelled disaster for ASU after a ball pinballed around inside the Sun Devil box before deflecting off of a Sun Devil hand. The referee pointed to the spot and set up an overtime game-winner for Aguilera.
With the outcome and sole place for most goals all-time directly in her hands, Aguilera slotted the ball down the middle to finish a storybook ending for the Wildcats.
The Sun Devils will keep their heads high and look forward to next season with multiple seniors exercising their extra year of availability to contend for a spot in the NCAA tournament.
