By The Numbers: In-depth look at ASU Soccer before Big-12 play begins

(Photo By: Hazel Foubert/WCSN)

Arizona State Women’s Soccer: Preparing for Big 12 Success  

As the Arizona State Women’s Soccer team approaches its debut Big 12 season, ASU is building momentum and displaying a balanced and efficient offensive strategy. With an impressive 5-0-2 record behind 19 goals and 18 assists over their first seven games, the Sun Devils offense has been a standout force. As they enter conference play, their strong attack, combined with a disciplined defense, could make them a strong contender in the Big 12.

Offensive Firepower: Team and Individual Brilliance

Arizona State’s offense has been the driving force behind their early success averaging 2.71 goals per game. Key players like freshman forward Kierra Blundell and junior midfielder Enasia Colon have been central to the team’s attacking output. Blundell has netted five goals and provided three assists, while Colon has contributed four goals and three assists. Both players have consistently threatened opposing defenses, with Blundell boasting a 47.1% shot-on-goal percentage and Colon leading the team with 16 shots on target.

Junior forward Cameron Valladares has been another crucial figure in attack, with four goals and three assists of her own. Her 57.1% shots-on-goal percentage is the highest on the team of all players with a minimum of five shots taken. That number shows how adept she is at putting her attempts on target and creating dangerous opportunities. Keri Matthews has also had some major contributions with three goals and three assists of her own, giving Arizona State a balanced attack with multiple weapons for head coach Graham Winkworth to choose from.

The Sun Devils’ offense has been highly productive, averaging 18.9 shots per game and totaling 132 shots, placing them among the top 31 teams in the nation in shots per game average. However, their 46.2% shot on-goal percentage shows that there is still room for improvement in terms of finishing, especially as they head into the Big 12 and prepare to play against much tougher defenses.

Defense: Sturdy yet Vulnerable

Defensively, Arizona State has been effective, conceding only four goals in seven games, averaging just 0.57 goals against per game. The defensive group is led by junior goalie Pauline Nelles, who has played every minute and recorded 24 saves. The backline has been stout as well, limiting their opponents to just 55 total shots, an average of 7.9 shots per game. 

Key defensive players like defenders junior Grace Gillard, senior Olivia Coleman, and freshman Ella Kettles have provided stability in the back, with Gillard and Coleman playing significant minutes and anchoring the defensive unit. Gillard, in particular, has been a rock at the heart of the defense, playing 530 minutes over seven games. It is important to note that of the Sun Devils, nine games played(two of which were exhibition) only one came against a true power 5 team in SEC school LSU. Against the Tigers, the Sun Devils went into the half having conceded two goals. As the group heads into its Big 12 campaign, ASU can expect a heightened level of attacking talent that they will face. 

Midfield Contributions: Creative and Productive

In the midfield, players like freshman Addison Haws and Colon have been pivotal in controlling the tempo and linking defense to attack. Haws has contributed two assists and seven shots, while Colon has provided the aforementioned three assists and four goals of her own. The midfield’s ability to transition the ball and set up the forwards while also disrupting any sort of counterattacks that their opponents have had has been one of the Sun Devils’ strengths, as seen in their 18 assists compared to opponents’ three against them. 

Graduate midfielder Maddie Shafer has also been a contributing playmaker, tallying one assist while maintaining a 75% shot-on-goal accuracy. This midfield depth has allowed Arizona State to spread the ball around the field to multiple different players, making it difficult for opposing teams to try and shut down the ASU counterattacks.

Areas of Success

1. Balanced Attack: Arizona State has multiple players contributing offensively, which makes it a difficult team to defend. With Blundell, Colon, and Valladares leading the way, the Sun Devils have three legitimate scoring threats, any of which could take over on any given night and lead the team to victory.
2. Shot Creation: The Sun Devils are creating nearly 19 shots per game, giving them plenty of opportunities to score. Their ability to generate chances from various areas of the field keeps opposing defenses on their toes and spread out, which creates plenty of lanes and windows for the forwards and attacking mids to create through.
3. Defensive Solidity: Conceding only four goals in seven games shows that Arizona State’s defense is strong. Limiting opponents to under eight shots per game gives evidence of a possible play style that’s contingent on controlling possession and dictating the pace of play.
4. Set-Piece Opportunities: Arizona State’s 50 corner kicks reflect their relentless ability to create scoring opportunities. This will be vital in the later stages of the season, as converting just one corner kick in a crucial game could be the difference between securing an NCAA tournament berth or an early exit.

Areas for Improvement

1. Shot Efficiency: While Arizona State is generating plenty of shots, their 46.2% shot-on-goal percentage is evidence that they need to be more efficient in front of goal. As they face tougher defenses in the Big 12, these attempts likely won’t come at such high volume. So an increase in conversion rate is something they must improve on if they want to hoist a Big-12 Tournament trophy down in Kansas City at the end of the regular season.
2. Defensive Focus: When Arizona State allows shots, they are often on target, evidenced by its opponents’ average 50.9% shot-on-goal percentage. The defense will presumably need to tighten higher-caliber offenses in the conference.
3. Discipline: Arizona State is an aggressive side With 54 fouls committed. Fouls lead to yellow (caution), and Red (ejection) cards. As cautions and ejections add up, players are forced to miss time, which can be a major setback in the heart of a season.

How Arizona State Compares to Other Big 12 Teams

• Oklahoma State (6-0-1): Like ASU, Oklahoma State has been nearly flawless, boasting a strong defense and a balanced attack. Their defensive solidity has been impenetrable as the Cowgirls have yet to concede a goal in seven games. 
• Colorado (6-1): Colorado’s offense has been explosive netting 16 goals on the season which is tied for fourth most in the conference. Arizona State’s defense will need to be at its best to limit Colorado’s shot creation and to give the offense a chance to build and sustain a lead.
• Baylor (5-2): Baylor has shown resilience with a strong start, particularly in close games as they have only lost twice even though they have conceded seven goals next to only 10 goals scored. Its control-based style could challenge Arizona State’s midfield, requiring the Sun Devils to stay disciplined.
• Texas Tech (5-2): Texas Tech’s offense is among the most dynamic in the country. Its 23 goals are tied for the tenth most in the nation. A potential match between these two could come down to which team can convert more of their chances and opportunities in front of the goal.

Conclusion

Arizona State has shown that when playing at its best it can compete with the best, thanks to a combination of offensive depth, defensive discipline, and a well-rounded midfield. However, as the Sun Devils enter Big 12 play, they’ll potentially need to fine-tune their shot efficiency and defensive focus to match up against some of the conference’s top teams like Oklahoma State, Colorado, and Texas Tech. If they can continue to build on their strong start, the Sun Devils are poised to be a formidable force in the Big 12.

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