(Photo By: Samantha Farsky/WCSN)
In the 71st minute of play down one goal, Cameron Valladares received a pass off a Kansas turnover which opening a counter attack. The ASU junior forward drove down the field at speed which drew in the Jayhawk defenders and led to lanes opening up. One of those openings had senior forward Keri Matthews wide open with nothing but green grass ahead, the goalkeeper, and the goal in her sights.
However instead of playing the simple 10 yard pass to Matthews, Valladares opted to deliver a long ball over the heads of the Kansas defense, looking to find junior winger Enasia Colon. The pass was over-hit though, sailing far beyond her intended target. The play fizzled into a goal kick for the Jayhawks, an opportunity wasted as the Sun Devils couldn’t capitalize on the promising break.
“It’s frustrating, I think we’re holding onto the ball for like a touch too long,” Valladares said. “We had a couple of chances where we could have made a dangerous play and just held onto it a bit too long.”
In a match filled with missed opportunities-whether through counter attacks that fizzled out or failure to connect that final pass in the final third of the field- Arizona State Soccer (8-6-3, 3-6-1) fell short in its efforts losing 2-1 to the Kansas Jayhawks (8-5-4, 5-4-1). A result that left it frustrated in it inability to capitalize on key moments.
The Sun Devils offensive struggles were glaring all game. Kansas outshot ASU 11-3, nearly quadrupling the Sun Devils’ attempts on goal. Despite showing flashes of offensive potential, the disparity in shots highlighted ASU’s inability to mount consistent pressure in the final third, with Kansas finding far more opportunities to test the goalkeeper.
“It was disappointing, I felt when we got to the final third we looked dangerous,” Arizona State head coach Graham Winkworth said. “We just didn’t have that final piece in the box, we couldn’t connect that final pass.”
Despite the 2-1 loss to the Jayhawks, ASU still clinched a spot in the Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Soccer Championship. With postseason play looming, it’s critical for the Sun Devils to find their groove and regain their offensive sharpness. The stakes will only get higher, and if they want to make a meaningful run in the tournament, improving their ability to create and finish in the final third is essential. The team has shown glimpses of their potential, but now it’s about turning those moments into a full, cohesive 90 minutes on the pitch as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
“I just think today just wasn’t our day,” senior defender Olivia Coleman said. “We’re gonna regroup and move forward for Friday, and prepare for the rest of the season.”
