(Photo: Sammy Nute/WCSN)
With temperatures dropping to 27 degrees in Boulder, No. 18 Arizona State soccer was unable to end its cold streak of consecutive losses on Sunday.
While ASU was struggling to get warm, Colorado turned up the heat in the second half by scoring four unanswered goals over ASU, coasting to a 4-0.
Sunday’s loss makes three straight for the Sun Devils, spanning back to Utah and UCLA. G0oal scoring continues to be a worry as the Sun Devils failed to score a goal in all three defeats.
Sunday’s match in Boulder was a tail of two halves, the first 45 minutes saw an even match with both sides registering four shots, with sophomore midfielder Brianna Nunley getting the only shot on target for ASU.
Pac-12 leading goal soccer, senior forward Shrya James, opened the floodgates in the 69th minute after the Buffs dominated the second half. James’ goal on Sunday is her 14th this season as she now ranks sixth in the nation in goals scored.
The Buffalo had 10 shots in the second half to the Sun Devils four. Colorado scored all of its goals within a 17-minute span, whilst ASU was left distraught with no answer.
Graduate midfielder Ally Clark iced the game in the 76th minute after he rocket struck in the top corner and flew past sophomore Pauline Nelles to put the Buffalo up 3-0 in the second half.
Confidence will be a major factor for the Sun Devils the rest of the way. Ranking 18th in the nation they have failed to ride the momentum that had them flying in the Pac-12 just seven days ago.
The Pac-12 standings now see ASU dropping behind No. 22 USC, and California, now with only one match left in its regular season schedule.
The next match for the Sun Devils comes against state rivals Arizona.
The Wildcats have struggled all year with only two conference wins to this point, however, they managed to earn a 1-0 over Utah, a team that just beat ASU on Thursday. Arizona will be heading into the match with confidence and ASU will need to find the strength that it showed all season.
Defensively the Sun Devils have lost a step conceding seven goals in their last three matches, an astonishing turnaround compared to only eight goals conceded in the first 16 matches of the year.
The injury bug has plagued the Sun Devils in the latter stages of the season, being without defenders, freshman Emilie Simpson and Graduate Lieske Carleer, who have been so vital to them this season.
Head coach Graham Winkworth will need to find a way to score goals over the week, the three-match goal drought has been a season-long problem for ASU, its performance today marks nine matches this year with three or fewer shots on goal.
The Sun Devils will play their final regular season test against Arizona on Friday at 7 p.m. MST.
