Sun Devil soccer outlasts Utah, still hopeful for post season

(Photo by: Mauricio Casillas/WCSN)

With less than four minutes to go in the game, it looked as if the Sun Devils’ hopes of making the post season were over.

They were trailing 1-0 and had been stifled by Utah’s defense. Nothing seemed to be working.

However, that all changed after senior defender Kaitlyn Pavlovich headed a cross from Rachael Ritter into the back of the net.

Pavlovich’s goal sent the game into overtime, and forward Cali Farquharson sealed the win with a goal in the 102nd minute.

“I’m really happy with the team. It was more about –I didn’t think our soccer was great — it was about our chararcter,” head coach Kevin Boyd said. “We came out and tied it with three minutes left and then we found a way to win it in overtime.”

The Sun Devils’ 2-1 win came on senior day. Seniors Pavlovich, Ritter, Devin Marshall, Blair Alderson, Holland Crook and Jasmine Roth were all honored in a pregame ceremony.

“I think that all of us were thinking ‘leave it on the field.’ It’s our last game playing on the field for the six of us seniors,” Pavlovich said. “It felt great [to score]. Rachel Ritter played an amazing ball in. It was really a team effort, because had we not gotten up here to get the corner in the first place, it would have never happened.”

Farquharson’s goal was her first since Sept. 15th, and her second overtime winner. She advanced the ball on the far right hand side of the field and propelled it past Utah goalkeeper Lindsey Luke, who was out of place.

“I shot it and it was going in, and I knew it was going in,” Farquharson said. “I love [the seniors]. They’re family… I didn’t want it to be the end for them.”

Both teams got off to a slow start offensively in the first half. Arizona State out shot Utah by a margin of 4-2, but neither team had a goal to show for it.

In the second half, Utah got their break off of a deflection. With 15:58 left to play in regulation, Utah forward Jill Robinson fired a shot into the box. Robinson’s shot was then tipped in by Allie Wisner. Sun Devil goal keeper Chandler Morris was out of position due to the deflection, and was unable to save it.

The Sun Devils then orchestrated the come from behind win.

“We haven’t come from behind and won a game yet this year. It’s good to come from behind and win one,” Boyd said.

The Sun Devils will travel to take on rival Arizona on Thursday for their regular season finale.