TEMPE, Ariz.-- The Arizona State soccer team fell to Oregon, 1-0, in Sunday afternoon's Senior Day game at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
The game opened as a very back and forth contest, with both teams creating chances in front of goal.
In the 5th minute, with the Sun Devils high-pressing Oregon in the opponent's box, sophomore midfielder Alexia Delgado would regain possession squaring it to Dai Williams, who fired a shot just wide of the post on what was the game's first real scoring opportunity for either team.
Freshman goalkeeper Giulia Cascapera would keep the game scoreless, making a series of saves, including a stunning finger-tipping stop in the ninth minute of play.
'9 | @giuliapera1 with the BIG SAVE early ?? pic.twitter.com/8ALWO0cYmJ
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) October 27, 2019
Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, Oregon would score the game's first goal in the 16th minute of play with a shot off the foot of Ally Cook.
Seconds before the halftime whistle, the Sun Devils would create another chance when senior midfielder Adriana Orozco and forward Marleen Schimmer connected on a beautiful give and-and-go, only to be turned away by an athletic save from the Oregon keeper.
Looking to tie the match in the second half, sophomore Isabel Dehakiz would take on the Oregon defense, with her shot missing just wide.
The Sun Devils carried out a final attack in the final seconds of play. Freshman defender Callie Darst would lead the attack on the left side of the field, cutting inside and unleashing a curler that would hit off the inside post, essentially ending the game with Oregon on top, 1-0.
90' | POST? @calliedarst curls one so close. pic.twitter.com/fzES5ram1z
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) October 27, 2019
The Sun Devils will be back in action on Thursday when the team heads to Palo Alto to take on No. 2 Stanford. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 p.m. PT, with the Pac-12 Network set to broadcast the match. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2019 season by following @SunDevilSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
Going to miss this class ?? #ThankYouSeniors pic.twitter.com/Ot7yxYmUs7
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) October 27, 2019
A Word With Winkworth...
On the Impact of this year's senior class;
"The seniors have been an amazing group of young ladies. They are really good soccer players, but they are absolutely wonderful people. I want to thank them for the service that they have given not only me, but the university and this program. The support that they have shown the staff over the last three years, they mean the world to us. I am just disappointed that we couldn't send them off today with a victory. This group is an amazing group of people and I just can't thank them enough. They have really helped set the foundation here. We feel that we have taken two steps forward over the last three seasons, we are taking a little one back at the moment, but hopefully, we have two more steps forward in the coming years as well."
On senior captain Kylie Miniefield who was sidelined by an injury in Sunday's game;
"Mini is such a special young lady. I think she bleeds maroon and gold through growing up in this area and her dad being a star football player here as well. She means so much to this program and I love her to death. She has been so loyal and hard-working. She runs enough for three people so today when we found out, about an hour before kickoff, that she wasn't going to be able to go, I was devastated. I was devastated for the team, and I was devastated for the staff, but most of all I was devastated for her. I just gave her a hug and let her know that her career has been fantastic over the last five years and that I couldn't be more proud of her."
On how to limit early scores in the final three games;
"We have to work on eradicating our mistakes. We have made a lot of mistakes on that side of the pitch and we need to continue to coach the players that we have and improve our ability and decision making at the back. We have also got to make sure that in the midfield we are making good decisions and looking after the ball. We also need to give our back line and goalkeeper a little bit more protection. We have to toughen up and get stronger. Our 50-50 challenges need to become 50-50 challenges. We need to win more of them and not just stick a leg out there. We have to get stronger and eradicate those mistakes. We will work hard the remainder of the season and into the spring."
Up Next...
With the home schedule wrapped up, the Sun Devils will hit the road for their final three regular-season games, starting with a Thursday afternoon matchup against No. 2 Stanford on Oct. 31. Kickoff in Thursday's match is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.