TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona State women's soccer team put up a courageous effort on Thursday night, rallying from a one-goal deficit to tie the game before falling to Arizona 2-1.
"First I want to thank all of the fans who came down tonight," head coach Graham Winkworth said. "That was brilliant. To have those fans singing ASU during a certain fight song, I thought was fantastic. It was a brilliant environment and I thought it was a great game."
After being outshot 9-1 in the first half the Sun Devils (5-11-3, 2-7-2 Pac-12) fought back in the second half to post a 7-6 edge over the Wildcats (10-4-4, 7-2-2) over the final 45 minutes.
Jemma Purfield (three shots) and Jazmarie Mader (two shots) combined for five shots to lead ASU while freshman Nikki Panas made five saves.
The Wildcats poured on nine shots, three on goal in the first half, forcing Panas to card a pair of first half saves in her first Territorial Cup match of her career.
Arizona broke through in the 38th minute off a corner kick and deflected shot, to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead following the first 45 minutes of play in Tucson.
The two teams would trade jabs through the opening minutes of the second half, but it would be Mader, the active career-goal scoring leader for ASU, who would make it a 1-1 game in the 68th minute of play. With the goal, Mader netted her 13th career-goal, moving her just seven goals out of the top-10 for ASU's all-time goal scoring leaders.
"What a beautiful strike it was," Winkworth said of the goal. "I was really proud of her. I told her during the first half that she was going to go into the second half and score the winner. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, but it was a fantastic strike and a great goal on her final game as a senior."
The Wildcats would reclaim the lead in the 75th minute and were ultimately able to stave off ASU's attempts to find the equalizer and come away with the win.
"I want to thank the seniors for all of the work they have put in, not just this year, but for the last four-to-five years," Winkworth added. "They have been great servants to the program. They have helped us build a foundation. Even though this wasn't the season we wanted, We have attained some of the goals that we set as coaches. We are right around the top-100 which is about 50 spots higher than we finished last season. We have also moved up the Pac-12 table a few spots as well. We obviously want to be first, but we have made strides in the right direction."
Thursday's loss to Arizona marked just the fifth time the Wildcats have defeated the Sun Devils, including just their third win over ASU in Tucson. The loss also dropped the Sun Devils to 5-11-3 on the year, including a 2-7-2 in Pac-12 play.
"First I want to thank all of the fans who came down tonight," head coach Graham Winkworth said. "That was brilliant. To have those fans singing ASU during a certain fight song, I thought was fantastic. It was a brilliant environment and I thought it was a great game."
After being outshot 9-1 in the first half the Sun Devils (5-11-3, 2-7-2 Pac-12) fought back in the second half to post a 7-6 edge over the Wildcats (10-4-4, 7-2-2) over the final 45 minutes.
Jemma Purfield (three shots) and Jazmarie Mader (two shots) combined for five shots to lead ASU while freshman Nikki Panas made five saves.
The Wildcats poured on nine shots, three on goal in the first half, forcing Panas to card a pair of first half saves in her first Territorial Cup match of her career.
Arizona broke through in the 38th minute off a corner kick and deflected shot, to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead following the first 45 minutes of play in Tucson.
The two teams would trade jabs through the opening minutes of the second half, but it would be Mader, the active career-goal scoring leader for ASU, who would make it a 1-1 game in the 68th minute of play. With the goal, Mader netted her 13th career-goal, moving her just seven goals out of the top-10 for ASU's all-time goal scoring leaders.
"What a beautiful strike it was," Winkworth said of the goal. "I was really proud of her. I told her during the first half that she was going to go into the second half and score the winner. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, but it was a fantastic strike and a great goal on her final game as a senior."
The Wildcats would reclaim the lead in the 75th minute and were ultimately able to stave off ASU's attempts to find the equalizer and come away with the win.
"I want to thank the seniors for all of the work they have put in, not just this year, but for the last four-to-five years," Winkworth added. "They have been great servants to the program. They have helped us build a foundation. Even though this wasn't the season we wanted, We have attained some of the goals that we set as coaches. We are right around the top-100 which is about 50 spots higher than we finished last season. We have also moved up the Pac-12 table a few spots as well. We obviously want to be first, but we have made strides in the right direction."
Thursday's loss to Arizona marked just the fifth time the Wildcats have defeated the Sun Devils, including just their third win over ASU in Tucson. The loss also dropped the Sun Devils to 5-11-3 on the year, including a 2-7-2 in Pac-12 play.