Sun Devil offense struggles resulted in a first conference defeat

(Photo: Zina Garcia/ WCSN)

In a close loss, Arizona State (8-6, 1-1 Big 12) took significantly fewer shots than former Pac-12 opponent and current Big 12 foe, Colorado (6-5, 2-0 Big 12). In the first half alone the Buffaloes had taken 25 shots while the Sun Devils had only taken 11. The Buffaloes and ASU would both end up taking only 10 shots each in the second half.

Sun Devils junior Jordyn Behar was able to make a positive difference in the offense. Behar found the back of the net twice and ended the game with three assists, adding to her program record for assists in a single season with 50. Behar explained how she is focused on how the team can improve in the last few weeks of the season when asked about what she wanted to work on.

“Coming out harder.” Behar said. “Working harder, being tougher, holding each other accountable.”

Holding each other accountable and to continue working as a unit seems to also be something Sun Devil Head Coach Taryn VanThof Puls wants to expand on.

“I think we fought really really hard, especially in those last 30 minutes. “ VonThof Puls said. “But we dug ourselves a bit too deep of a hole to overcome in those last 60 seconds.”

Another Sun Devil junior stood out as she scored five of ASU’s 13 goals. Teagan Ng. Ng was able to surpass the 50-goal mark on the season ending the game with 51 on the season.

50 has been a prominent number for ASU with Behar and Ng both passing the 50 mark for their respective records.

The pair of juniors really appear to be leaders for the Sun Devils. Especially with how they work with the rest of their offensive unit. Behar truly sets the team up for success game after game.

“She’s QB 1.” VanThof Puls said in reference to Behar. “I think she meshes so well with the offensive unit.”

Behar may be referred to as QB 1, but as mentioned before, Ng is also a prominent player and a leader on the offense.

“It’s Teagan.” VonThof Puls said. “She takes face guards, takes matchups, and she’s going through double teams. She’s really developed as a dodger and a finisher for us.”

A dodger is an offensive player who is proficient at shaking off defenders, therefore creating opportunities for scoring. Teams now know who Ng is and how important she is on the offense. Specifically, Maryland added a face guard specifically to try and stop her in a previous game. Since she is able to make it through double teams on her own, it makes sense how she is able to work around the defenders to find offensive success.

As the clock ticked close to half time, the Sun Devils were victim to losing a player. Where freshman midfielder Kendal Morris was fouled while going for the ball and was assisted off the field. Morris was out for the rest of the game. VanThof Puls was confident that the injury isn’t too serious.

“Kendal is a tough kid.” VanThof Puls said. “She tweaked an ankle and she’ll be back.”

Despite winning the ball at the first face-off, ASU just couldn’t win against the Colorado Buffaloes. The Buffaloes had opportunities to take off in the first quarter and they took it. Colorado was able to bring up the score in their favor in the first 10 minutes of the game to 5-1. The Sun Devils made an effort to catch up to the Buffaloes. By the end of the first quarter, ASU was only down by two goals, Colorado had seven goals and ASU had five. Going into the second quarter once again winning the ball at face-off, ASU was able to score quickly. Hoping to get some momentum. But that was the only goal they got in that quarter after allowing four to be scored on them.

The Sun Devils now look onto their last handful of matchups this season. With three more games, all Big 12 matchups, before the end of the regular season, and hope to make it to tournament play. Their next match-up is an away game at UC Davis. The Sun Devils have had most of their losses when playing away. With the UC Davis matchup being the last away trip of the season and a conference matchup, the pressure is on.