Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State Athletics
From the sunshine in Tempe to a cool, windy night in Stillwater, Okla., Arizona State soccer found themselves back on the road for another Big 12 matchup with big implications.
The Sun Devils (8-4-3, 3-3-1 Big 12) would take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls (5-8-3, 1-6-1) in a game that returned ASU back to the win column with a 2-1 victory.
Here are three takeaways from the Sun Devils’ victory:
An offensive presence
After a game against Houston, where the Sun Devils scored once in the opening minutes, they knew they could not allow history to repeat itself Friday night against the Cowgirls.
Yet ASU nearly found itself in trouble again, as Oklahoma State made numerous early attacks, putting the visitors on the back foot.
But Oklahoma State wouldn’t score and soon the Sun Devils would have an opportunity of their own. In the 22nd minute, third-year forward Sierra Bergen found the ball at her feet off a corner kick and tapped it in.
This was only the start of the Sun Devils’ offense; the second half was filled with a constant hunger for that second goal, which could ultimately put the Cowgirls to bed.
Oklahoma State stood firm, believing they could stop the Sun Devils from scoring a second goal and find their equalizer.
That belief all came crashing down when first-year defender Gator Demark took a shot from way out in the 82nd minute. The ball came in at an angle that squeezed right past fifth-year keeper Avery Bass.
Those two goals were just enough to propel ASU past the Cowgirls in a much-needed Big 12 win.
A full defensive effort
The Sun Devils looked like a stout defensive unit against the Cowgirls, but that doesn’t mean it was an easy route to victory. Oklahoma State always had the energy to keep pressing and trying to get a shot off.
The Cowgirls finished with 17 shots and seven shots on goal. Five of those came from fourth-year midfielder Keaton Mitchell, who seemed to be the Sun Devils’ issue all night.
ASU’s battled for every ball and every ounce of possession as the Cowgirls made them work for everything.
Every game comes with a little bit of luck. For the Sun Devils, that luck saw a former enemy became a friend.
After the Sun Devils’ game against Iowa State ended in a tie, many speculated it was inches away from a win.
The Cyclones, however, had a 12th defender on the field: the goalpost; it crushed the Sun Devils’ dreams as it blocked the ball over five times in the closing minutes.
Against Oklahoma State, the Sun Devils have the goalpost to thank in part for their win. The Cowgirls’ early attempts found the goalpost after second-year forward Sonora DeFini tried to score, hitting the left post.
Late in the game, third-year forward Sherlie King tried a screamer from outside the box that hit the left post again.
Whether it was luck or a full defensive effort, the Sun Devils put their bodies on the line, making full-stretch attempts and dives at every first and second ball that came their way.
Ultimately, it was enough to win.
A near-perfect career start
Second-year Kennedy Zorn has been lights-out for Sun Devils head coach Graham Winkworth this year.
Whether it was her nine-save shutout on the road against Kansas State or her four shutouts this season, Zorn has been a powerhouse.
This game, however, saw an unfamiliar face, as second-year goalkeeper Izzy Duink made her first collegiate start.
Duink was lights-out all game, with six saves.
Duink was tested throughout the game, and in the closing minute the Cowgirls got a chance, but Duink stood her ground and nearly kept the Sun Devils’ shutout.
In the closing minutes, fourth-year midfielder Laudan Wilson interrupted Duink’s chances at a clean sheet.
Wilson nailed a penalty kick in the back of the net after a handball call on the Sun Devils.
Nevertheless, her game provided just what was needed: a win for the Sun Devils to increase their chances of making the Big 12 tournament.
This win gives the Sun Devils a much-needed burst of momentum. However, their road ahead is far from easy, as they will face a 13th-ranked Baylor team and a tough Colorado team.
If the Sun Devils want a shot at an appearance in this year’s tournament, they’ll need two matches that demand every ounce of effort on both sides of the ball.
