Trailing by two goals, Tatum Thomason attacked the ball near the top of the box, pushing past a Horned Frog defender to deliver Arizona State’s lone goal of the game.
It was an emotional day in Tempe as the Sun Devils’ seniors played their final game at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. The 2-1 loss to No. 9 Texas Christian University 14-2-1 (8-1-1 Big 12) likely wasn’t how ASU 10-5-3 (4-2-2 Big 12) envisioned the home season ending. Regardless, the team can’t mourn too long as rival Arizona and a shot at the Big 12 Tournament loom.
“Being at home has been great,” Thomason said. “It’s emotional, but at the same time, we just have to realize we’re not going to be done yet. We’re pushing for a bigger goal than what today was.”
Many times this season, Thomason’s striking has been the consistent pillar of ASU’s offense; today was no different. Her goal was one of just three total shots on target. Since transferring from Washington, Thomason has led the Sun Devils with seven goals. In just one year playing for her hometown team, she has connected with the fan base and her teammates, making Sunday’s loss bittersweet.
“It’s sad,” Thomason said. “It’s emotional, but it’s also been such a fun time, especially for the girls like me who have come home for their last years.”
While Thomason has supported the offense this year, goalkeeper Pauline Nelles has anchored the defense for the last four years. Against TCU, she surrendered two goals, including an own goal off Lucy Fazackerley’s forehead. Still, she had six saves against one of the top teams in the country. A week prior, she cemented her place in ASU history as the all-time shutouts leader with an eight-save masterclass.
“She’s a special, special talent, special person too,” Winkworth said.
Nelles’ personality and leadership stand out just as much as her talent. Throughout the matches, she directs the defense and contributes to the passing game. Off the pitch, Winkworth said she makes an impression on anyone she meets.
“She’s just great at making friends, and so we’re gonna really, really miss her hard,” Winkworth said.
In front of Nelles on the field are midfielder Peyton Marcisz and defender Grace Gillard. They have anchored a defense that has kept the Sun Devils in games against the toughest opponents. Against the Horned Frogs, they helped keep star player Seven Castain scoreless. Her 12 goals this season are third in the Big 12.
Castain’s team is battling for first in the Big 12, but ASU is still fighting for a spot in the tournament. Since the conference lowered its tournament spots from 12 to 8 this year, making the postseason is that much harder. Standing in the Sun Devils’ way is rival Arizona.
“We’re confident,” Thomason said. “We’re one result away from pushing into the Big 12 tournament. So as long as we show up on Thursday and give it everything we got, then we’re going to sneak into the Big 12 tournament.”
Staying healthy has been a problem for ASU and against Arizona, it will likely be without many of its most important players. To counter this, the Sun Devils have relied on their seniors, six of whom were in the starting lineup on Sunday.
“We’ve got incredible seniors,” Winkworth said. “10 seniors. Some have been here one [year], some have been here four. Really thankful for them. I want to make sure we thank them publicly for all the hard work they put in, but they’ve still got a few more games to go, and we’re delighted for the efforts that they put in for the program.”
