(Photo: Marina Williams/WCSN)
TEMPE — Arizona State soccer has been scorching hot over the last few weeks. Its winning streak of four matches included a statement win last Thursday in a marquee matchup vs No. 11 USC.
With all the momentum the Sun Devils looked to continue their form against No. 2 UCLA, the reigning national champions, on Sunday afternoon.
“Going into the season, I’m not sure that anybody expected us to have this Cinderella season that we’re having, it’s been a lot of fun,” head Coach Graham Winkworth said
The ASU Cinderella story was put on halt by the Bruins by a late winner from senior forward Reylin Turner crushed the hearts of Sun Devils fans, as the match concluded 1-0 UCLA.
Turner scored a powerful header past scrambling sophomore goalkeeper Pauline Nelles in the 89th minute after Turner was left unmarked on a corner kick.
Winkworth is as frustrated as anyone after the match, taking the blame for the late game lapse from his team.
“I’m disappointed with myself that we conceded a goal off a corner kick, less than two minutes to go we worked really really hard on them,” Winkworth said. “We knew who the targets were and one of those targets scored the goal.”
Turner’s goal on Sunday is her tenth in the campaign to this point, she’s never tallied more than eleven goals in a single season.
The Bruins have steamrolled the conference all year but the Sun Devils proved to be strong at the back again, as they’ve done all season.
UCLA’s lone goal marked the first time in eleven matches that the Bruins failed to score multiple times. Senior midfielder Hannah Lapeire credits the defensive unit’s teamwork and effort as reasons for stealer defensive performances.
“I’m really happy with how we defended and played as a unit today,” Lapeire said. “It’s a bummer but we have a lot left to play for this season and were hopeful that we bounce right back from this.”
Injuries became a key contributor to this match as two ASU defenders went down injured and never returned, freshman Emile Simpson and senior Lieske Carleer.
To their replacements came sophomore Meighan Farrel and junior Olivia Coleman, Winkworth had very kind words to say about the pair post-game and the depth his squad has shown.
“We just showed off our depth a little bit, Lieske, Emile, and Johno (Senior Lucy Johnson) three of our starting back four off the pitch at the end of the game, and the goal was scored off a set piece,” Winkworth said.
Blockbuster soccer can force many to gloss over the senior night ceremony that was held after the Sunday match. Senior forward Gabi Rennie was one of four players celebrated and feels bittersweet about the experience.
“It’s definitely an emotional time this team has given so much to me,” Rennie said. “We’ve really created such an amazing family, especially this season.”
The Sun Devils will look to work as a family the rest of their season, with three matches left to play all on the road against Utah, Colorado, and Arizona respectively.
ASU’s NCAA Tournament resume is as strong as ever, and Winkworth is looking forward to building for the postseason over the final stretch.
“Very exciting I’m going to get the jacket out and maybe even see a bit of snow in Boulder that would be exciting, I can build a snowman, and If I can do that maybe play with twelve.” Winkworth jokingly stated.
