Sun Devils defense reigns supreme in Big 12 opener

Photo: Kaylee Wilkerson/WCSN

TEMPE – As the sound of vuvuzelas and bass drums echoed into the Tempe night, Arizona State soccer prepared to start the conference season on the right foot, a task that has long proved difficult for the team.

However, the many instruments weren’t the only thing keeping the rhythm at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium Friday night.

When most think of pacing within a soccer match, their attention immediately goes to the midfield or even the attack.

Despite this commonality, it was the Sun Devils’ defense that dictated the tempo throughout Friday night’s match, limiting Utah to one goal — coming from a corner kick taken in the 36th minute.

“I’m really proud of them,” head coach Graham Winkworth said. “The back line has been phenomenal all season long.”

Powered by junior forward Kierra Blundell’s brace and a strong defensive showing, ASU (6-1-2, 1-0-0 Big 12) defeated Utah (3-4-2, 0-1-0 Big 12) 3-1 under the Friday night lights of the Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Regardless of the goal conceded, Winkworth takes solace in the fact that the Sun Devils have yet to allow an open-play goal this season.

“We have actually conceded five goals in nine games this season, two corners, two penalties, and a throw-in,” Winkworth said. “We’ve not conceded in open play, so I want that to continue. But it’s still frustrating when I’m the corner kick coach, and we’ve conceded two goals that way.”

While it’s up to the players on the pitch to execute a coach’s strategy, Winkworth takes responsibility for the goals that have come from set pieces throughout this season.

“Set pieces are not really on the backline; set pieces are on me getting the best out of them,” Winkworth said. “The girls haven’t conceded a goal in open play in nine matches. That’s like 810 minutes of soccer, and that’s pretty incredible.”

Freshman defender Mya Angus has been a standout amongst ASU’s backline this season, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors once, and Friday’s performance was no different.

After making run after run up the left side of the pitch, Angus was finally rewarded on a cross into the box, collecting her third assist of the young season on Blundell’s first goal of the night in the 12th minute.

“It just felt like the right moment,” Angus said. “We had momentum, I saw KB in the box, and she communicated for it, and it was bang from there.”

Angus has made a name for herself going forward, an attribute which she credits to the communication amongst the backline.

“I think communicating with the backline, knowing when I can go up, when I should stay back, and just feeling free in my position and understanding my role,” Angus said.

Despite her freshman status, Angus operates well under pressure; another strength she feels is boosted by her fellow defenders.

“Sometimes I’ll feel pressure, but I think staying calm in those moments is the most important thing,” Angus said. Once again, going back to that mentality and understanding when I can go up, when I can keep the ball, when I can take on players is important.”

Angus credits the Sun Devils’ preparation to Friday night’s huge performance out of the backline.

“During training we were doing a good job at reading,” Angus said. “We were practicing their formations. We were learning from them, and I think that we were able to adapt to it well.”

Angus’ fellow Big 12 Freshman of the Week winner, defender Amy Medley, also received praise from Winkworth, who noted the program’s bright future.

“Amy has been very solid,” Winkworth said. “She was the freshman of the week in the Big 12. That’s huge considering there’s 16 teams in the Big 12. We’ve had three of the last four freshmen of the week, so the future’s very bright around here.”

Outside of the wingback pairing, Winkworth credited senior defenders Lucy Fazackerley and Natalie Drotzmann in Friday night’s stifling backline performance.

“Faz (Fazackerley) has really stepped up to another level from last season and is more comfortable on the right side than she was on the left. I think she’s doing a great job,” Winkworth said. “Natalie, wow, she’s just a machine back there. I’m really happy that she decided to come be a Sun Devil, and the two freshmen on the outside, plus more going in. The future’s very bright in those areas.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Kennedy Zorn continued her run of impressive form, saving five shots despite conceding the early goal, earning praise from her teammates.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better keeper in net,” Angus said. “She’s strong. She communicates well and she’s just a great person on and off the pitch.”

Even Blundell feels the boost of playing with a backline that is in form.

“For me, knowing that I don’t have to come in and do a lot because they’re going to defend,” Blundell said. “I just know I need to finish my two chances, because the backline’s going to do the job day in and day out. And that’s common for an attacker knowing you have a backline that’s solid.”

ASU now looks to take the show on the road beginning Thursday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. MST against Kansas, a game Winkworth knows he’ll need his backline for.

“We’re playing one of the best, most athletic teams in the league on Thursday, so it’s a new challenge,” Winkworth said.