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ASU Soccer: Lack of finishing sends Devils to another loss against Colorado

By Nick Hedges

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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ASU Soccer could not end their losing streak in Boulder, falling 3-0 to Colorado. The Sun Devils looked promising for much of the game but couldn’t finish any goals.

Coming in, ASU hoped for a big win. With freshman keeper Nikki Panas returning from injury and junior Angela Boyle coming back from suspension, things looked opportune. However, it wouldn’t take long for Colorado to establish themselves.

The first half got off to a rocky start for the Devils. Colorado sent several shots and crosses near goal. ASU managed to rocket a shot off the crossbar, but they could not hold the Buffaloes out for long. Freshman Marty Puketapu recovered a loose ball off a corner and finished off her sixth goal of the year.

After the goal, Arizona State settled down, keeping possession for long stretches. However, without finish to their attack, the Sun Devils stayed off the scoreboard. Cross after cross was put too close to the Colorado keeper.

The Buffs came back after ASU over-committed to an attack. After a nice counter move, junior Megan Massey edged a shot just past Panas’s outstretched arms. Massey’s second goal of the year doubled Colorado’s lead.

The rest of the half settled into a consistent cycle. After defending brief attacks, the Devils enjoyed plenty of possession. But without quality balls into the box, Arizona State had to settle for bad shots outside the box. ASU stayed off the board thanks to a lack of legitimate chances.

Colorado took particular advantage of one of their counters, putting the Devils in a deeper hole. Puketapu put the finishing touches on a brilliant cross to score a third for the Buffaloes in the 30th minute.

ASU once again took control heading into halftime. After several opportunities, senior forward Jessica Raybe scored, but it was called back for offside. Despite the chances, the Sun Devils went into the half down three.

The Buffaloes came out fast and furious in the second half, putting together several attacking moves. Despite several opportunities, Colorado couldn’t expand their lead.

After twenty minutes of consistent attack from the hosts, ASU finally held possession for some time. The Devils managed to create several chances and went closest off a loose corner, but they couldn’t put it home.

It is a disappointing loss for Arizona State, who came in with a serious chance to make up some ground in the Pac-12. Colorado was simply faster and stronger than the Devils, and the scoreline showed it.

The Sun Devils will take the field again on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Utah. The Devils will look to recover from this loss in Salt Lake City at Ute Field.