Late goal drops ASU in home opener

The Arizona State women’s soccer team failed to capitalize in its first home game of the season, as the team fell, 1-0, to the Houston Cougars on a late-game penalty kick.

The Sun Devils (1-4-1) dominated the game offensively, outshooting the Cougars (3-3) by a margin of 13-6. However, the game’s only goal came in the 87th minute, when Houston was awarded a penalty kick due to a handball against ASU. Cougar midfielder Jasmine Martinez drove in the shot to the left corner of the net, sealing the win for Houston.

The second half was closely contested. Houston, despite going without a shot in the first half, nearly scored in the 82nd minute when a shooting attempt struck the right crossbar. ASU still had seven shots in the second half, but the team didn’t perform to the standard set in the opening 45 minutes.

In the first half, ASU came out firing on all cylinders. The team’s first scoring opportunity came in the 21st minute when junior midfielder Miah Mollay sent a shot to the bottom right corner of the goal from outside the box, before Houston. The Sun Devils continued to knock on the door in the first half, having three more shots on goal, but they were unable to capitalize in the final third of the pitch.

The Sun Devils will look to get back on track as they play no. 10 Pepperdine on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., who won its opening game in the Sun Devil Desert Classic against the University of Arizona, 2-1.

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