Photo: (Kaylee Wilkerson/WCSN)
Adversity comes in all shapes and sizes, but the bottom line is learning how to take a loss and not let it define you. That is exactly what the Sun Devils must do entering Manhattan, Kans.
After a tough loss to Kansas (7-2-1, 1-0-1 Big 12) on Thursday night where the Sun Devils (6-2-2, 1-1-0 Big 12) looked completely out of character. They ultimately lost 2-0, their first loss of conference play.
The Sun Devils will look to avenge their loss against Kansas State (5-1-4, 0-1-1) on Sunday morning.
Kansas State has had an up-and-down year, having only won two out of their last seven games. However, they have the talent to go against a strong Sun Devils defense.
The Wildcats have a strong offense with players like third-year forward Gabby Demers, who leads Kansas State with five goals on the season.
However, Demers will have quite the test going against one of the Big 12’s top youngsters in first-year defender Mya Angus.
Demers will also have a duel with ASU’s own striker, third-year forward Kierra Blundell. Blundell opened Big 12 play sensationally with a brace against Utah, but could not find anything against Kansas.
The Sun Devils will look to avoid a two-game losing streak, which would be the first this season. Head coach Graham Winkworth will also try to avoid a worrying trend from recent years.
After dominating non-conference play year after year, conference play continues to have Winkworth’s number, with last year acting as a prime example.
After opening the season with an exceptional 7-0-1 record, the Sun Devils looked to be in an exceptional position in their hopes to make the NCAA Tournament. However, after Big 12 play, the team found themselves at just 10-5-4 and missed the tournament completely.
All eyes are on the Sun Devils as they take on this challenge, looking to simply break a trend from previous years.
Winkworth will look to have his squad ready for a battle in Buser Family Park; they last matched up in 2024, when ASU ultimately took the win.
This is no longer the 2024 team; a lot has changed, but the coaching remains the same.
On Sunday, ASU will look to join the 2024 squad in defeating Kansas State again and build momentum in its pursuit of an NCAA Tournament appearance.
