(Photo: Hailey Sasnett/WCSN)
Arizona State Women’s Soccer (6-3-3) has struggled after a strong start to its season. The draw at home last Friday ended a three-match losing streak and scored one goal in its last four matches.
Conference play has proven to be a difficult task for the Sun Devils, facing some of their strongest competition in all of college soccer. Squads like No. 1 UCLA and No. 15 USC have a large amount of talent and quality players all over the pitch.
However, ASU looks to turn the tide around while on the road in a pacific northwest double back-to-back. The first match is against Washington State (8-3-3) at 7 p.m., on Thursday Oct 20th, and the secod match is against Washington (8-3-3) at 12 p.m., on Sunday Oct 23rd, in Seattle.
This test will be significant to the overall consensus on the Sun Devils’ season. Both opponents have had solid seasons, but are not in the upper echelon of the conference.
Washington State will prove to be another valiant opponent in boasting a similar record to ASU while having similar season stories.
Both teams have struggled to get a win since early October while also struggling against some of the squads from California. This should be a real sign of where both programs lie in terms of quality at the conference.
Washington State is no team to take lightly, but junior forward Margie Detrizo already has a staggering eight goals on the season, and she’ll look to increase her tally on Thursday.
Add that to the 21.5 shots per game, and the firepower will be on display all match.
ASU’s match against Washington won’t be much easier than Thursday’s, as the Huskies have the same record as their Northwest rival.
Washington is in need of a victory as well, avoiding a mark in the win column since Oct. 2nd against Colorado. Since then, it’s been tough losses in northern California, and a draw vs Oregon State.
Washington averages almost 2.5 goals per match this season and over 50 percent of their attempts are shots on goal. Sunday could prove to be busy for the freshman goalkeeper Pauline Nelles.
The key for ASU will also be leading from the front, although Graduate student forward, Nicole Douglas, has failed to score since Sept. 18th, her ability to press and create chances from the front has been outstanding. Causing lots of problems for some of the best teams in the country like Cal, and USC.
The Sun Devils will most likely have to call to their midfield duo, Graduate student and captain Alexia Delgado paired with graduate midfielder Eva van Deursen will most likely play a key part in the success of her team over the next couple of matches.
Arizona State has the potential to make this a successful road trip, but attention to detail and fine margins could prove to be the difference.
