ASU Soccer: ASU Loses to Cal on Missed Opportunities
Disappointment. Injuries. Frustration. These three words can sum up the 2016 season for the Arizona State Women’s Soccer Team.
ASU started the year 5-2-1, thanks to players like Jazmarie Mader, who was performing like a potential all Pac-12 player. Hopes for a spot in the Women’s Soccer Tournament were very high. Those dreams are long gone as Arizona State is now 1-8-1 in the Pac-12 after losing to Cal 2-0. The Sun Devils has now been shutout for the fourth straight game.
Arizona State played a 4-4-2 diamond formation, and was able to hold Cal until the 76th minute. Junior Cal midfielder Kelly Fitzgerald curled one into the upper right corner of the net to break the draw and net her fourth goal of the season.
Running low on time, the Sun Devils started to bring up everyone on the attacking side. Desperate and weak on defense, Cal’s Emma Fletcher drew a foul on Madison Stark in the box for a penalty kick. Arielle Ship converted the PK for her ninth goal of the season and sealed the victory for the Golden Bears.
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ASU had one of their best performances of the season in the second half. They came out with energy and were able to create multiple chances thanks to an attack that was led by senior midfielder Lucy Lara.
“I still think we created the three best chances in the game and that’s not even counting the one that bounced off the top of the crossbar,” ASU head coach Kevin Boyd said.
In the 47th minute, senior Lara dribbled her way down the left side and crossed it to freshman Jessica Raybe. Raybe’s header was struck well but punished back by the top of the crossbar as the game continued to stay nil all.
ASU blew another big opportunity in the 56th minute. Defender Madison Stark made a beautiful cross across the top of the box to forward Larisa Staub. Staub was wide open but failed to get a good touch on the ball and softly bounced it right at Cal keeper Emily Boyd.
Even if the attacks didn’t result in goals, ASU is looking at the performance as a positive one as ASU had competed with one of the top teams in the country for most of the match.
Boyd was very pleased with the team’s performance.
“It’s a step in the right direction, so hopefully we can do better against Stanford,” said junior defender Madison Stark. “I thought tonight was one of the best times we played collectively as a whole.”
Even with strong chemistry, the Sun Devils sure do miss two of their top threats in Mader and junior Aly Moon after another scoreless match. It is still unclear if either of two players will play in the final two games of the season.
Lara came back against Stanford after missing a few matches with an injury. She was one of ASU’s bright spots as she created many opportunities and possessed the ball nicely as the team’s leading attacking midfielder, and almost had an assist on Raybe’s header that hit the crossbar.
“You can see the difference that she makes,” coach Boyd said. “She creates something out of nothing quite a bit.”
Boyd explained how difficult it is to lose his key attacking players.
“Show me a team in the Pac (12) that can win games in the Pac (12) when their three most dangerous attacking players are out. I don’t think in the game of soccer that exist,” Boyd said. “Not having our experience players in those critical roles makes things very difficult.”
Boyd is unsure if Mader and Moon will be back for Sunday’s match against top ranked Stanford. Stanford is currently ranked number three in the nation.
Next: ASU Football: It’s Now or Never
You can catch the senior night game against Stanford 3 p.m. Sunday on Pac-12 Network.