TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State soccer team (8-5-2, 4-3-2) ended the regular season with a loss to in-state rival, Arizona (9-5-1, 4-5-1) in a heartbreaker on Friday night at Sun Devil Stadium.
Arizona got the early lead in the 16th minute and never looked back as they held the Sun Devil offense to just nine shots. Midway through the second half, the Wildcats sealed the deal with a two-goal lead in the final home stand of the season.
This was the third straight loss for the Sun Devils since beating Stanford on April 4th.
"We're disappointed because of the result. But I think we fought, the team made an incredible effort, but it just wasn't enough. We have to take this game into consideration and keep working on the things that we can improve," said junior captain Alexia Delgado.
The NCAA women's soccer selection show starts at 10 a.m. MST/PT on Monday, April 19th.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A WORD FROM WINKWORTH
On thoughts on game overall:
"Disappointed with with result but credit to Coach Amato and his staff and players for a well executed game. Two very different teams and we need to find a way to have more success against this type of opponent. Our team really enjoy playing the type of soccer we try to play and they have a lot of fun in the process. We are not going to move away from this as we have proven this year that we can be very successful doing it. We just need to find a little more flexibility against this type of opponent."
On offensive struggle:
"Arizona defended well - credit to Arizona. We tried something a little bit different in the first half to go around them but unfortunately it turned into a back five more than a back three so we had to revert back. So we were struggling to get behind them a bit. But it is credit to Arizona for defending extremely well. We have to look at things in perspective. We've lost a couple of games now but at the same time, we were supposed to finish 12th in the league and we finished in the top half of the Pac-12 which is something good. We've beaten the best team in the Pac-12, the No. 1 team in the West region, the No. 2 team in the West Region and two years ago when we missed out on the NCAA Tournament and I asked what were the reasons, they said we lost to a poor team and failed to beat any major teams. This year, we've not lost to anyone poor and we've beaten probably a team that will be a No. 1 seed. I think we've got a pretty good resume. I'm really proud of the team and how far they've come the last 18 months."
On calling Sun Devil Stadium home this season:
"It was amazing. I want to thank so many people that made that possible: Ray Anderson, all of the administration, Mike Chismar, Brian Johnson, we've got an incredible staff that has enabled us to call Sun Devil Stadium home. Thanks to Coach Edwards for sharing the football home and allowing futbol to be played in it all spring. We're just so thankful for it. It's been incredible. To have fans back tonight: the band, the 942 Crew, it was a real blessing. It's nice to be out here. Like I've said from Day One, it's out Lemonade Season, I've drank a lot of lemonade with the players this season, it's been an incredible regular season. We've surpassed a lot of people's expectations of us and it's credit to the hard work the players have put in the last 18 months. Being in this facility has been incredible and the playing surface is like carpet. Brian Johnson and his crew are incredible."
On chances of earning a spot in tournament:
"I'm pretty confident. I'll be very disappointed if that doesn't happen. Two years ago we didn't have a big win, this year, we've got one of the best teams in the country who are probably going to be a No. 1 seed. We've got another team that will probably be seeded and have byes in the first round in USC. No one else has beaten UCLA, no one else has even tied UCLA except USC. We're the only team in the country ot have beaten them both. To do the result against UCLA on the road. Credit to the Pac-12, there's no weak team's this year. So there's no bad loss on our resume either. We took care of business in the non-conference, we've beaten some very, very good opponents in the Conference. I'll be devastated for the team if we're not in the NCAA Tournament based on beating the best teams in the country. We feel pretty good about that."
Arizona got the early lead in the 16th minute and never looked back as they held the Sun Devil offense to just nine shots. Midway through the second half, the Wildcats sealed the deal with a two-goal lead in the final home stand of the season.
This was the third straight loss for the Sun Devils since beating Stanford on April 4th.
"We're disappointed because of the result. But I think we fought, the team made an incredible effort, but it just wasn't enough. We have to take this game into consideration and keep working on the things that we can improve," said junior captain Alexia Delgado.
The NCAA women's soccer selection show starts at 10 a.m. MST/PT on Monday, April 19th.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Sophomore goalkeeper Giulia Cascapera started in goal for the 13th and final time in the regular season.
- 16 minutes into the first half, Jada Talley scores with a high kick from the corner to give the Wildcats a one-goal lead.
- Both teams generated chances in the first 45 minutes of play with ASU making five shots and Arizona with six.
- Arizona increased their lead to two in the 61st minute when Jill Aguilera gets two touches sending it to the back of the net.
A WORD FROM WINKWORTH
On thoughts on game overall:
"Disappointed with with result but credit to Coach Amato and his staff and players for a well executed game. Two very different teams and we need to find a way to have more success against this type of opponent. Our team really enjoy playing the type of soccer we try to play and they have a lot of fun in the process. We are not going to move away from this as we have proven this year that we can be very successful doing it. We just need to find a little more flexibility against this type of opponent."
On offensive struggle:
"Arizona defended well - credit to Arizona. We tried something a little bit different in the first half to go around them but unfortunately it turned into a back five more than a back three so we had to revert back. So we were struggling to get behind them a bit. But it is credit to Arizona for defending extremely well. We have to look at things in perspective. We've lost a couple of games now but at the same time, we were supposed to finish 12th in the league and we finished in the top half of the Pac-12 which is something good. We've beaten the best team in the Pac-12, the No. 1 team in the West region, the No. 2 team in the West Region and two years ago when we missed out on the NCAA Tournament and I asked what were the reasons, they said we lost to a poor team and failed to beat any major teams. This year, we've not lost to anyone poor and we've beaten probably a team that will be a No. 1 seed. I think we've got a pretty good resume. I'm really proud of the team and how far they've come the last 18 months."
On calling Sun Devil Stadium home this season:
"It was amazing. I want to thank so many people that made that possible: Ray Anderson, all of the administration, Mike Chismar, Brian Johnson, we've got an incredible staff that has enabled us to call Sun Devil Stadium home. Thanks to Coach Edwards for sharing the football home and allowing futbol to be played in it all spring. We're just so thankful for it. It's been incredible. To have fans back tonight: the band, the 942 Crew, it was a real blessing. It's nice to be out here. Like I've said from Day One, it's out Lemonade Season, I've drank a lot of lemonade with the players this season, it's been an incredible regular season. We've surpassed a lot of people's expectations of us and it's credit to the hard work the players have put in the last 18 months. Being in this facility has been incredible and the playing surface is like carpet. Brian Johnson and his crew are incredible."
On chances of earning a spot in tournament:
"I'm pretty confident. I'll be very disappointed if that doesn't happen. Two years ago we didn't have a big win, this year, we've got one of the best teams in the country who are probably going to be a No. 1 seed. We've got another team that will probably be seeded and have byes in the first round in USC. No one else has beaten UCLA, no one else has even tied UCLA except USC. We're the only team in the country ot have beaten them both. To do the result against UCLA on the road. Credit to the Pac-12, there's no weak team's this year. So there's no bad loss on our resume either. We took care of business in the non-conference, we've beaten some very, very good opponents in the Conference. I'll be devastated for the team if we're not in the NCAA Tournament based on beating the best teams in the country. We feel pretty good about that."