TEMPE, Ariz. – For the second time in as many games the Sun Devil soccer team was unable to produce any goals as fourth-ranked Stanford defeated ASU 2-0 on Sunday.
The loss came on the heels of a 1-0 setback to Cal on Friday in which ASU dominated every phase of the game, however was unable to turn those advantages into goals.
Chioma Ubogagu scored both goals for Stanford (14-1-2, 6-1-1 Pac-12), which had a 16-4 advantage in shots.
“Credit to Stanford, they are very good. We weren’t bad, but we also weren’t good today,” said ASU head coach Kevin Boyd. “We were not handling the ball well. We looked a little bit panicked, especially in the first half. Today it just did not look like us at all.
“Stanford is No. 2 (in the NCAA RPI) for a reason. Today they were better than us. We were going to have to play our best to compete with them and that wasn’t us today.”
Obogagu scored her first goal in the 23rd minute after she one-timed a crossing shot into the far right post. Obogagu had an unobstructed look after a Stanford corner kick was headed outside of the box past the 18-yard mark.
ASU had its best chance to tie the game in the 38th minute when freshman defender Madison Stark served the ball into the box for freshman forward Aly Moon. The 5-1 Moon was able to connect on a header, but Stanford goalkeeper Jane Campbell made a diving save to prevent the goal.
Moon had another opportunity in the 43rd minute after Jazmarie Mader played her the ball just inside the 18, however Moon was not able to get a clean shot off as Campbell was playing far enough out that she was able to smother Moon’s sliding attempt.
Stanford would extend its lead to 2-0 in the 50th minute as Obogagu was able to take advantage of what Boyd called a ‘tactical error’ on ASU’s backline to get off an uncontested shot.
Down two goals to one of the nation’s best teams, Boyd said he made a decision at that point to look at the big picture of the season and started to sub for players who were not 100 percent health-wise.
“We were still trying to compete and win it, but I’m not going to leave out some people out there who are hurting and going after the game when we have three more (games) to go,” explained Boyd.
Moon’s two shots led the Sun Devils. Also registering a shot on goal was junior midfielder Whitney Kanavel. Chandler Morris made five saves for the Sun Devils, who were held scoreless for only the third time this season.
Sunday’s game was Senior Day. Prior to the game, ASU honored seniors Jessica Domenichelli, Brianna Gonzalez, Morris and Courtney Watson.
The Sun Devils return to action next week when they go on the road to face Colorado (Friday at 3 p.m. MT/2 p.m. PT) and Utah (Sunday at 2 p.m. MT). Both games will be televised live by Pac-12 Networks.