ASU Soccer: Sun Devils Five-Defender Formation Almost Finds Success Against USC

(Photo Creds: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

Tempe, Ariz. – Coach Graham Winkworth started five Sun Devil defenders in an attempt to neutralize the #5 ranked Trojans, but came up short in his defensive scheme as ASU fell 2-1.

Arizona State exhibited five defenders on their backline for the first time this season, as they considered themselves underdogs against USC, who has been ranked in the top five this entire season. The Trojans boast two of the best strikers in the nation, as Penelope Hocking and Tara McKeown have each scored eight goals for the squad. Winkworth admitted that with the injury to starting defender Lieske Carleer, the defense needed a significant amount of reinforcement.

“We’re missing two of our top players in Lieske and Eva [Van Deursen], with Lieske being one of our most consistent defenders in the middle this season,” said Coach Winkworth. “With her gone and playing against those two strikers, they’re two of the best strikers in the country. So we wanted to put an extra defender in to help with that.”

Winkworth started Loreto Sargeant and Callie Darst as the outside backs, with Taylor Culver, Olive Jones and Nicole Soto controlling the middle. It is also worth noting that no substitutions were made the entire game for ASU, so all five defenders were very aware and active in their respective roles from the opening whistle.

Despite conceding an own goal on a corner kick in the 7^thminute, ASU played their scheme very well, as USC was not able to generate as many attacks as they are used to. USC had trouble getting the ball through the middle and generated most of their attacks through long balls over the top. The Sun Devil defenders made sure to account for both of USC’s top strikers, who were left goalless in the match.

“I think we were playing really well in the formation that we chose and we were obviously playing more defensively that game but it worked out for us, said Sun Devil midfielder Kylie Miniefield. “We were more focused on the counters, staying compact, and just keeping the ball in front of us.”

The Sun Devils only created a few chances off counter attacks because their defensive focus left the attack somewhat abandoned. ASU forwards Marleen Schimmer and Nicole Douglas were often double- and triple-teamed and had close to no space when the ball was at their feet.

The one goal that ASU scored was off pure skill by Schimmer who blasted a shot into the top right corner with three defenders around her. However, Schimmer admitted that it was unusually tough for the forwards to generate the type of offensive they usually do.

“I mean, I’m the only one on top. It’s not easy and the focus was on defending so I just tried to do my best to create chances,” said Schimmer. “Sometimes that’s how it is as a striker. It definitely isn’t easy.”

The last 25 minutes of the game completely changed when USC pushed their back line all the way up to midfield, essentially forcing the game to be played in ASU’s defensive half. USC was not content with a 1-1 tie and it showed as they showcased their all-out attacking abilities.

However, ASU’s backline held strong and was able to negate all of USC’s attacks until a corner kick in the final minute of the game gave the Trojans a 2-1 lead. The goal scorer was Kaylin Martin, a defender for USC, so the Trojan attackers were still frustrated over their inability to produce chances against the Sun Devil defense.

“We love to have the ball, but we have to adjust to different teams,” said Schimmer. “We played #5 in the nation so we know we have to sit back and wait for them to carry the game. It was 1-1 until the 89^thminute so I think we did a good job.”

The Sun Devils executed their game plan to perfection but conceded two goals off two set pieces. Both goals were not necessarily lapses by the defense, but lapses as a team, as marking and positioning were off on both occasions.

The Sun Devils will take on the #10 UCLA Bruins on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in Tempe. They are a somewhat lesser opponent than #5 USC, but Coach Winkworth was impressed by his formation’s success and is undetermined as to whether it will carry over to next match.