Stifling defense was the key in ASU Soccer’s win over Kansas State

(Photo By: Katherine Gore/ WCSN)

TEMPE – In the 53rd minute, the Kansas State Wildcats were looking to rebound from a first half where they fell 1-0 down against the Arizona State soccer team. Leading the charge was sophomore forward Jo Sees, who received the ball inside on the box, cut in from the left side, then fired a shot on target. That isolated moment prompted junior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles into the only save of her quiet and peaceful second half. A refreshing break from the barrage of shots she’s had to face in the previous two games.

“I’m happy for [the defense],” ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said, “I lost count of how many goals we conceded in the last few games.”

Ahead of Thursday night’s match, the Sun Devils had conceded 13 goals over their prior three games, far from the strong defensive form they showcased earlier this season. ASU’s 2-0 clean sheet win against the Wildcats resembled many of its performances from earlier non-conference games, with senior defender Olivia Coleman and junior defender Grace Gillard being key factors.

The two defenders, alongside efforts from the Sun Devils’ midfield, helped to cut out any passes before they reached the final third. Kansas State struggled to break down ASU’s backline, a much different tale than the previous three matches for the Sun Devils.

“We’ve had three halves of soccer where we’ve not conceded a goal,” Winkworth said, “Our work rate defensively has improved.”

ASU limited Kansas State’s attack and only surrendered seven total shots. Also, the Wildcats only put two shots on target, one coming in the first half and the other in the second. However, only the second-half shot had any chance of scoring, but Nelles made a great diving effort to keep it out. Overall, the Sun Devils’ defense looked much more solid than last Sunday’s match against TCU, where they conceded five goals and nine shots on target in the first half alone.

The game turned much more physical as Kansas State looked to come back, with harsh challenges from both sides. Junior forward Cameron Valladares bore multiple tackles, including in the moments leading up to her game-clinching goal in the 85th minute that put ASU up two.

“Every game in the Big 12 is going to be physical,” Valladares said, “No team is going to be an easy game.

As for the remainder of this season, ASU has two more games left on the regular season schedule, and this win puts them in a prime position to clinch a spot in the Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Soccer Championship. The Sun Devils move to tenth place in the conference, with matches against eighth-place Kansas and ninth-place Arizona on the horizon.

“We needed this win,” senior forward Keri Matthews said, “We can just take all the momentum to the next two games”