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ASU Soccer: Sun Devils can’t overcome Oregon in loss

By Nick Hedges

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil stands on the court during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 11, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 67-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil stands on the court during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 11, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 67-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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After giving up a goal in the third minute, ASU soccer never recover en route to a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Ducks in Eugene.

ASU soccer went down early and couldn’t find a way back in a tough 3-0 defeat to Oregon in Eugene. The Sun Devils suffered another conference loss to stretch their losing streak to four.

Arizona State went into the match without two of their most important players. Starting keeper Nikki Panas missed out because of injury, and junior center back Angela Boyle was suspended as a result of a red card received last weekend against USC.

Oregon attacked the Sun Devils’ back line from the start, and Boyle’s absence became apparent immediately. Junior forward Marissa Everett recovered her own rebound off the post and tapped home to open the scoring.

After the opening goal, the Devils settled into the match, but there didn’t seem to be a finish to their attacking moves. Frequent turnovers and a lack of urgency prevented ASU from equalizing.

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Moving through the middle portion of the half, Arizona State began to take control. Improved creativity and precision led to some chances for sophomore forward Christina Edwards, but none of them yielded a clear opportunity to get level.

Despite positive signs, the Sun Devils wouldn’t maintain control forever. An ASU turnover led  Oregon to a rapid counter-attack. After a lengthy run, junior forward Bayley Bruner would set-up Everett. She placed a low shot into the back of the net to comfortably double the Oregon lead.

In an attempt to get back into the game, first-year coach Graham Winkworth moved freshman Olive Jones and junior Jemma Purfield from defense to attack. The move seemed to prompt a renewed effort to score and mount a comeback.

Despite the positive halftime adjustments, Oregon dominated the second half. The Devils were able to hold possession for a few moments. However, the Ducks were too much, taking the ball and working themselves into serious scoring opportunities.

Oregon would finally capitalize on their chances midway through the second-half. After an incisive through-ball caught ASU sleeping, senior forward Miranda Schulz would cut back into the box and extend the lead for the hosts.

The Ducks again went close minutes later, but ASU kept them out of goal. Despite solid effort to keep the deficit at three, the Sun Devils couldn’t make up any ground and would ultimately fall by that same deficit.

The loss took a different tone than the defeats last weekend. After a loss to UCLA by the same scoreline, the Devils nearly upset the defending national champion USC Trojans. Arizona State felt confident heading into the rest of the conference schedule. However, it only took the Ducks three minutes to silence any talk of a Devil victory tonight in Eugene.

Next: ASU Soccer: Upset bid falls short against USC

The trip to Oregon was the only game for the Sun Devils this week. ASU soccer will head to the mountain schools next week, facing Colorado on Thursday and Utah on Sunday.