ASU Women’s Soccer: Sun Devils narrowly avoid blown halftime lead

(Photo: Patricia Vicente/WCSN)

2-0 is commonly understood as the most dangerous lead in sports. The No. 20 Arizona State Sun Devils learned this lesson the hard way in its Pac-12 conference opener.

Playing under a purple and pink sky in Seattle, the Sun Devils battled the University of Washington Huskies in a tense game resulting in overtime. The final score was 2-2 after senior forward Nicole Douglas scored both goals in the first half.

Washington began with more possession in the first half playing good passes around and winning corner kicks. Arizona State meanwhile settled for long balls and goalkeeper punts. Seemingly against the run of play, senior midfielder Eva Van Deursen played a perfectly weighted through ball to Douglas as she took one touch in stride and one more to slot the ball into the net in the 17th minute.

Douglas’ goal didn’t rattle the Huskies, as they continued to maintain possession and share the ball. In another play against the flow of the game, senior forward Cori Sullivan drove into the box and was tackled down by a Huskie defender for a penalty kick. Stepping up to the penalty spot, Douglas once again found the back of the net with a kick so well placed that senior Washington goalkeeper Olivia Seakany couldn’t save it despite diving the same way.

These two goals helped ASU grow into the game as they held onto the ball better and as they passed more accurately and controlled the game. Despite the two well-worked goals, ASU didn’t create too many chances in the first half. The team was clinical in taking advantage of their limited chances.

Taking a 2-0 halftime lead while only facing one shot on target, the Sun Devils felt confident.

The second half told a different story.

The Huskies followed their same game plan by keeping the ball and more possession. Threatening the Sun Devil box, the Huskies had the first big chance on goal that would’ve cut the deficit if not getting called back for offsides. That early chance gave Washington fighting spirit as the game was far from over.

When facing a 2-0 scoreline at halftime, the next goal is always the most important. The winning team will either put the game out of reach or the losing team will find belief and put pressure on the other team.

Coming out of halftime, Washington scored first.

Winning a free-kick just beyond midfield, redshirt senior midfielder Jessika Cowart launched the ball that skipped and snuck past multiple Sun Devil defenders and freshman goalkeeper Birta Gudlaugs.

The game’s tempo raised with senior forward Olivia Nguyen driving into the box and bending a ball into the bottom corner forcing a spectacular save from Seakany.

The Sun Devils felt the intensity rise as they tried to find the goal that would put away Washington. Combination plays in the box and square balls gave the Sun Devils chances to score but Seakany was equal to it, keeping her team in the game.

Washington’s better possession helped them win another free-kick just outside the box. All-American second team senior forward Summer Yates stepped up and bent the ball around the Sun Devil wall and Gudlaugs got a touch on the ball but it wasn’t strong enough as the Huskies tied the game in the 77th minute.

Heading into overtime, each team had one golden chance to steal the game. Arizona State’s chance came in the first half when sophomore midfielder Jazmine Wilkinson’s header bounced off the crossbar. As for Washington, their chance came with 2 minutes left when their shot narrowly flew past the right post.

On the positive side, senior midfielder Alexia Delgado got some minutes coming off of a hamstring injury. Another player who was questionable coming into the game was junior defender Lieske Carleer who played 65 minutes in the draw.

The Sun Devils’ next game is Sept 30th against the University of Southern California. ASU will need to use this feeling of a missed opportunity as motivation to get back to its winning ways.