TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State's defense held its own against the top team in the nation but ultimately fell 3-0 against No. 1 UCLA on Thursday.
The match was the team's third straight against opponents ranked in the top-15, and head coach Graham Winkworth was proud of the way the team looked from the outset.
"We didn't want Stanford to beat us twice," said Winkworth after the match. "You saw the way we came out at the beginning of the match. I thought we were the stronger team at the start."
A team effort kept the match tied early during a frantic 12th- minute moment. A heads up play by defender Angela Boyle placed her behind the Sun Devil (4-6-2, 1-2-1 Pac-12) keeper, in perfect position to knock a shot out of the box and keep the match scoreless.
The Bruins (11-0-1, 4-0-0) ultimately broke through and drew first blood with a 19th- minute goal, but a strong defensive effort kept the UCLA attack at bay for the remainder of the first half.
"An inch here or there we could have found ourselves a goal up," Winkworth said. "But they're extremely talented and did a good job of finishing."
A penalty kick in the match's 53rd- minute gave the Bruins some insurance, and a third goal less than a minute later made the score 3-0.
The Arizona State defense stood tall the rest of the way, however, and while the home side was able to get off three shots in the final three minutes, the final line ultimately remained 3-0.
UCLA finished the night with an advantage in both shots taken (19-7) and shots on goal (9-4). Nevertheless, senior Jazmarie Mader was proud of the team's effort against another challenging opponent.
"I thought we really came together this week," said Mader. "We realize now we can do incredible things if we execute properly."
The Sun Devils will look to bounce back when they return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon against No. 6 USC. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
The match was the team's third straight against opponents ranked in the top-15, and head coach Graham Winkworth was proud of the way the team looked from the outset.
"We didn't want Stanford to beat us twice," said Winkworth after the match. "You saw the way we came out at the beginning of the match. I thought we were the stronger team at the start."
A team effort kept the match tied early during a frantic 12th- minute moment. A heads up play by defender Angela Boyle placed her behind the Sun Devil (4-6-2, 1-2-1 Pac-12) keeper, in perfect position to knock a shot out of the box and keep the match scoreless.
The Bruins (11-0-1, 4-0-0) ultimately broke through and drew first blood with a 19th- minute goal, but a strong defensive effort kept the UCLA attack at bay for the remainder of the first half.
"An inch here or there we could have found ourselves a goal up," Winkworth said. "But they're extremely talented and did a good job of finishing."
A penalty kick in the match's 53rd- minute gave the Bruins some insurance, and a third goal less than a minute later made the score 3-0.
The Arizona State defense stood tall the rest of the way, however, and while the home side was able to get off three shots in the final three minutes, the final line ultimately remained 3-0.
UCLA finished the night with an advantage in both shots taken (19-7) and shots on goal (9-4). Nevertheless, senior Jazmarie Mader was proud of the team's effort against another challenging opponent.
"I thought we really came together this week," said Mader. "We realize now we can do incredible things if we execute properly."
The Sun Devils will look to bounce back when they return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon against No. 6 USC. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.