Devils in Detail
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ASU Soccer: Sun Devils fall 2-1 versus No. 24 UCF

By Sam Ficarro

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil performs during the team's quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Oregon Ducks T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oregon won 80-57. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil performs during the team's quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Oregon Ducks T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oregon won 80-57. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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After a scoreless draw versus Boston University Friday, ASU soccer faced No. 24 Central Florida losing 2-1 with all three goals coming in the second half.

ASU soccer wrapped up the Sun Devil Desert Classic Sunday as they faced No. 24 Central Florida, who defeated Arizona 2-1 on Friday.

After a scoreless first half in which the Knights controlled possession, UCF scored the breakthrough goal in the first minute of the second half.

Forward Dina Orschmann scored her second goal of the season after receiving a cross from defender Carrie Lawrence, turning and shooting it past Sun Devil goalkeeper Nikki Panas.

The Knights doubled their lead off a corner kick as forward Morgan Ferrara redirected a header from defender Kathellen Sousa and UCF took a 2-0 lead through 55 minutes.

The Sun Devils, who defended for the majority of the match, had to chase the match in 103-degree weather to try to come back.

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“That first goal in the second half completely changed the game and then when they went two up, we threw everything at them,” ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. “From an effort standpoint, I want us to play like how we played at the end of the game but from a soccer standpoint, I don’t want to play like that. I want to play a better style of soccer.

“I was proud of the team’s character and fight in very hot conditions,” Winkworth said.

Arizona State created many chances in the final half hour of the match with defender Jemma Purfield stripping Sousa after receiving a pass from UCF goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi and Purfield slotted the shot into the back of the net for her first goal as a Sun Devil.

“I’m really happy about that [scoring first goal] and that’s a good positive I can take away from today,” Purfield said. “It’s always good to get off the mark scoring wise, but obviously disappointed with the result, but really happy with the goal and as a team we’re gonna come together, build and get ready for next weekend.”

The Sun Devils had a couple of set piece opportunities in the final 10 minutes but couldn’t create a dangerous chance.

UCF controlled the first half outshooting the Sun Devils 9-4 and for the game the Knights outshot the Sun Devils 16-11.

“I thought we played well defensively, extremely organized, in the first half limiting them [UCF] to long shots from their midfield something that we planned for,” Winkworth said.

The Knights also had three more corner kicks than the Sun Devils with UCF also being the more physical side committing 19 fouls and receiving two yellow cards.

Next up for Arizona State is a trip to Tucson for the University of Arizona Tournament where they’ll play Texas Tech Friday and Florida Gulf Coast Sunday.