Oct. 10, 2010
SEATTLE - Despite an overwhelming 19-6 advantage in shots attempted, the No. 25 Arizona State women's soccer team fell to Washington 1-0 on Sunday.
Unlike recent scoreless efforts in which they were unable to mount any serious scoring threats, the Sun Devils (7-3-2, 1-1-0 Pac-10) created several chances around Washington's (9-3-1, 2-0-0 Pac-10) goal on Sunday, however were unable to finish.
"We definitely created some chances, but we just couldn't put any away," ASU head coach Kevin Boyd said following the game. "We need to be able to find some goals. We played some very good soccer for the most part. Our ability to move the ball was excellent. We just need to find a way to put the ball in the net."
The only goal of the contest came in the 15th minute when Washington was awarded a penalty kick after Husky junior forward Alex Webber was fouled by ASU in the box. Junior midfielder Kate Deines took the penalty kick and put the Huskies up 1-0 when her shot to the lower left corner of the net got beyond the diving save attempt of Sun Devil goalkeeper Alyssa Gillmore.
Following the goal, the Sun Devils did not let up on the attack, a trend that continued over the last 75 minutes of the game. However they were never able to find the equalizer as Washington senior goalkeeper Jorden Nikohl LaFontaine-Kussmann made seven saves.
Freshman forward Devin Marshall (eight shots) and senior forward Karin Volpe (four shots) combined for 12 of ASU's 19 shots on the afternoon. Although she did not take any shots, one player who Boyd credited with ASU's success in setting up the team's attack was sophomore midfielder Taylor McCarter.
"Taylor has been outstanding all year long," Boyd said. "She was special this weekend. She was very good on Friday, but she was playing at a different level today. She beat players and found a way to connect. She is doing a great job."
The Sun Devils return to action on Friday when they host Arizona at 7 p.m. The match against Arizona will be the latest installment in the 2010 State Farm Territorial Cup Series, a multi-year marketing agreement with the athletic departments of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona to sponsor the rivalry athletic games between the two esteemed universities.