Sun Devils start Big 12 play victorious with Kierra Blundell playing hero

Photo: Kaylee Wilerson/WCSN

TEMPE – The Arizona State soccer team put on an offensive clinic, beating the Utah Utes 3-1 in the Big 12 Opener.

After years of dominating non-conference play and failing to crack the code in the Big 12, the Sun Devils seem to have figured it out quite early.

Junior forward Kierra Blundell opened the scoring in the 11th minute after receiving a beautiful pass from freshman defender Mya Angus, putting ASU up 1-0.

This allowed ASU to jump in front after trailing early in multiple games throughout the season.

Just like that, the Sun Devils (6-1-2, 1-0-0 Big 12) took the win against the Utah Utes (3-4-2, 0-1-0 Big 12) at home in the Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in their Big 12 opener on September 18th, thanks to Kierra Blundell’s heroics.

After missing most of the 2025 season due to injury, Blundell delivered a strong performance in the Big 12 Opener, adding 2 sensational goals.

“I’m really glad that she’s here,” Winkworth said. “It’s lovely to have her back, particularly tonight. I thought she was fantastic.”

As the game progressed, Utah responded just 20 minutes later with a goal from junior forward Reese Clem. The Sun Devils seemed to find themselves in a tough spot again, as in previous games against UNC, Texas, Dartmouth and New Mexico State.

However, that wasn’t the energy the team showed; they kept their heads high, and despite allowing an equalizer, their body language remained positive. They kept communicating and weren’t deterred early. They took care of business and responded with their best effort. They continued to make key offensive plays, crossing over the middle to try to penetrate the defense.

However, with so many chances throughout the closing minutes of the half. They knew a breakthrough was coming and this game would open up.

Then, sophomore forward Bella Puccinelli smashed the ball into the net for a sensational goal as they took a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

“Great response from the girls, great character, and it was great to score, go back ahead, pretty soon after conceding a goal,” Winkworth said.`

Their ability to come back despite being down early was something that the team clearly prides itself on. Now, 9 games into the season, this wasn’t the only time that the Arizona State Sun Devils had found themselves in a little bit of a hole and bounced back.

“If you look at some of our results this season: New Mexico State, Dartmouth, Texas,” Winkworth said. “We’ve been behind and then come back and got a result. Even North Carolina, where we didn’t get the equalizer, we were the team on the ascendancy in the second half, and so the team has a lot of character.”

The offense wasn’t done yet while leading 2-1. It was clear the Utes weren’t ready to throw in the towel, maintaining pressure on the offensive side; there were multiple instances where Utah could have one go their way.

However, the Sun Devils’ offense remained relentless by continuously trying to find a way to score, whether that was over the top or a cross into the box, and they continued to play their game without letting Utah disrupt their offensive flow.

They maintained a steady pace, with both of their forwards, Kierra Blundell and junior forward Sierra Bergen, not completely tiring themselves out, but doing just enough so they could conserve their energy and keep Utah on their heels defensively, and that pleased Brian Winkworth

“I said to KB and Sierra, as you know, KB’s not known for her pace, but she’s quicker than people think over 10 yards,” Winkworth said.

While an offense can say a lot about a team, Winkworth made it clear what made the key difference tonight: their persistent effort.

“I’ve always made comparisons in the past between KB and our former striker [Nicole Douglas], and I said the one thing Dougie always gave us, other than the goals, was effort out of every possession. She just ran and ran and ran. I said, ‘I need you to set the tone for everybody else,’” Winkworth said.

What he asked for, he was given after a constant battle with the Utah Utes. Kierra Blundell found the bottom of the net with an impressive strike in the 67th minute, putting the Sun Devils up 3-1.

“I saw an opening. Once I saw the defense like on their heels. I’m like, okay, this is my chance to take a step up and shoot it,” Kierra Blundell said

As the Arizona State Sun Devils continue Big 12 play, a few tests remain on the road ahead.

The Sun Devils will begin a 3-game trip away, taking on Kansas, Kansas State, and Texas Tech. While these teams will pose a challenge, the Sun Devils know the competition they will face and know what needs to be done.

“Winning three is hard in the Big 12, as we’ve seen in the past. Winning away is even harder, so we’ve got Kansas, who are only two years out from winning the conference themselves. Kansas State is a top-60 program the last year. They’ve lost their first game of the season. So those two games are incredibly tough, and Texas Tech is probably the most athletic team in the league this year. So three unique challenges,“ Winkworth said.

Winkworth was clear about how unique these challenges can be, but he also understands how important it is to use this game as a serious momentum boost.

“But it’s nice to go there with three points in the bag; you know we’re going to get as many points as we can on the road”

The Sun Devils have posted a poor record in conference play over the last few years, with a combined total of only six wins, 12 losses, and four draws.

This year, however, feels different for the Sun Devils.

Finishing five of their last seven games at home following a three-game road trip, this could be a huge season for the Sun Devils and head coach Graham Winkworth.

He has made it clear that this team is a complete package.

“I told the team in our pregame, I said, ‘you know, coaches always tell teams, oh yeah, I love you guys.’ I genuinely do love these guys; they’re a really fun group to be around, and I enjoy, you know, when you’re in the slog, and you’ve been around each other so much,” Winkworth said.