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ASU Soccer: No. 2 USC too much for the Sun Devils

By Edwin Perez

TEMPE, AZ - AUGUST 28: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot, "Sparky" performs during the college football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium on August 28, 2014 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 45-14. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - AUGUST 28: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot, "Sparky" performs during the college football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium on August 28, 2014 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 45-14. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ASU soccer lost their second game in a row on the road versus No. 2 USC in which they were force to defend most of the game and outplayed.

The Sun Devils lost their second in the row on the road 3-1 after No. 2 USC outshot them 32-10 and controlled the pace of the game.

The USC attack started early with two shots in the first two minutes of the game. Their defense held ASU to no shots in the first ten minutes.

USC forced the Sun Devils to defend a lot and be on their own defensive half for most of the part of the first half. The Trojans keep creating chances and forcing sophomore goalie Nikki Panas to save some of the opportunities.

USC got a penalty in the 31st minute which was saved by Panas. Five minutes later, the Trojans found a goal off of a long shot edge of the box from sophomore forward Savannah DeMelo.

The Sun Devils possessed the ball at times but was not able to create many shots leaving them losing at half only shooting it five times.

The second half started the same way as the first did with USC coming out attacking quick. The Sun Devils defensive backs of senior Jemma Purfield, sophomore Olive Jones, senior Angela Boyle and senior Madison Wolf were put to the test various times.

The Trojans found a second goal off of a far post low cross in which freshman forward Penelope Hocking found the net on the 66th minute.

Arizona State needed to respond with a goal of their own which they were able to four minutes later after freshman midfielder Alexia Delgado found freshman midfielder Cori Sullivan on edge of box who crossed who crossed it to senior forward Casey Martinez who bended it far post for her second goal of the season.

The Sun Devils grabbed momentum and created a free kick opportunity that freshman forward Marleen Schimmer forced a save.

The Trojans ended it though through a goal from sophomore forward Samantha Bruder who chipped it off the crossbar and in.

Sun Devils lacked a goal threatening forward with Nicole Douglas being gone for her second game due to international duty.

Next. ASU Soccer: Inability to find the back of the net is costly against Utah. dark

Sun Devils will look to bounce back Saturday at home versus No. 1 Stanford at 7 pm. PT.