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ASU Soccer: Arizona edges Devils in season-ending loss

ByNick 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)

ASU soccer fought hard for a win in Tucson, but the hosting Wildcats were too much, handing the Sun Devils a disappointing loss to end the season.

ASU soccer closed out their season with a difficult 2-1 loss to Arizona in Tucson. Forward Jazmarie Mader made the match interesting with a fantastic strike, but the Devils simply could not get it done.

Arizona State struggled to create chances throughout the game. Outside of a few good chances and Mader’s goal, the Sun Devils simply could not create consistent offense. The lack of attack cost the Devils throughout the season, and the match was a continuation of that.

Arizona left off on a much better foot than the Devils. Committing to the attack, the Wildcats sent many more players forward than the Sun Devils.

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While the hosts dominated possession, Arizona State got on the shot-sheet quickly. Mader and fullback Madison Stark each had cracks at goal, but neither could finish.

The Devils’ first half effort culminated in the 12th minute when midfielder Devyn Kelsey put a loose ball in the back of the net. The keeper was fouled prior to the shot, causing the goal to be disallowed.

Both teams traded blows until one of them finally broke through. After ASU failed to clear a corner, Arizona’s Hannah Clifford finished the loose ball to give the Wildcats the lead.

Down a goal, the Devils did not take long to get going in the second half. In the opening minutes, several chances presented themselves, but ASU could not take advantage.

Arizona took control from there. The Wildcats controlled the entirety of possession for the middle-portion of the second half. They narrowly missed a second goal on several occasions, and the Sun Devils looked to be on the verge of another blowout loss.

That all changed when Mader picked up a swift counter-attack. The senior cut inside and unleashed a shot from just outside the 18-yard-box, nailing the top corner. The surprise equalizer sent Arizona State on their way, looking to get a positive result to end the season.

Things looked up for ASU, but that feeling did not last long. After a nice pass released the Wildcats toward the near post, Amanda Porter snuck a shot under the arm of Sun Devil keeper Nikki Panas. The disappointing goal handed Arizona the lead they protected for the remainder of the match.

The Territorial Cup loss marks the end of a tough season for the Sun Devils. However, first-year coach Graham Winkworth has made it clear the program has its eyes set on the future.

Next: ASU Soccer: Edwards hands Devils Senior Day win

Finishing the year at 5-11-3, the team showed signs of improvement over the course of the season, but a tough schedule in a brutal Pac-12 made things tough all year.