SALT LAKE CITY -- The No.17 Arizona State soccer team (8-3-2, 4-2-2) put up a hard-fought battle against Utah (3-8-3, 2-5-2) but couldn't come back from an early one-goal deficit on Friday night at Ute Soccer Field.
The Sun Devils came out strong but fell into a one-goal deficit early in the first half and couldn't convert on any chances to take back the lead.
This is just the second conference game loss for ASU after losing to Cal on April 2 in overtime.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A WORD WITH WINKWORTH
On tonight's performance:
"Tonight was not one of our better performances. I first want to give credit to Coach Manning and the Utah ladies for a hard fought victory. We unfortunately did not show the level that we have for most of the season. The team is disappointed. We are all disappointed. However, it is important that we have some perspective. November 2019, we were winless in the league. We were picked to finish last again this season. Today we sit third in the standings with victories over No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4. We are a no-excuse team, but to achieve what the girls are doing with some of the injuries and health issues we have endured, I could not be more proud of the ladies."
On looking forward:
"We will continue to fight and try to make some more lemonade over the next two matches. Then we will get some more bodies back from injury and hopefully see our name selected for the NCAA Tournament. I feel very good about our resume with the quality wins we have been able to achieve."
The Sun Devils came out strong but fell into a one-goal deficit early in the first half and couldn't convert on any chances to take back the lead.
This is just the second conference game loss for ASU after losing to Cal on April 2 in overtime.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Sophomore goalkeeper Giulia Cascapera made her 12th start of the season for the Sun Devils facing six shots from the Ute's offense.
- Both teams battled through the first 20 minutes of play with one shot apiece.
- The Utes got an early one-goal lead 26 minutes into the first half when Courtney Talbot volleyed the ball home off a corner kick.
- The Sun Devils generated many offensive opportunities in the second half including one that saw sophomore midfielder Dai Williams with an almost open goal but the Utes defense were able to knock the ball away before it saw the back of the net.
- After 90 minutes of play, the Devils were unable to put one on the board and fell to the Utes, 0-1.
A WORD WITH WINKWORTH
On tonight's performance:
"Tonight was not one of our better performances. I first want to give credit to Coach Manning and the Utah ladies for a hard fought victory. We unfortunately did not show the level that we have for most of the season. The team is disappointed. We are all disappointed. However, it is important that we have some perspective. November 2019, we were winless in the league. We were picked to finish last again this season. Today we sit third in the standings with victories over No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4. We are a no-excuse team, but to achieve what the girls are doing with some of the injuries and health issues we have endured, I could not be more proud of the ladies."
On looking forward:
"We will continue to fight and try to make some more lemonade over the next two matches. Then we will get some more bodies back from injury and hopefully see our name selected for the NCAA Tournament. I feel very good about our resume with the quality wins we have been able to achieve."