PROVO, Utah – Sun Devil Soccer opened Big 12 play with a 1-0 loss at BYU on Thursday night at South Field. The game was the first conference game for any Arizona State team in school history.
ASU (5-1-2, 0-1-0 Big 12) had the first two shots of the game and held possession over the first 15 minutes. That stretch was capped with a chance from Cameron Valladares, that was blocked in the penalty area to deny the goal.
"Not a good night at the office tonight," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "As head coach, it is my responsibility to help the girls to be prepared both physically and mentally for these types of occasions. We cannot hide in these types of games. We need to want the ball under pressure. We must roll our sleeves up and match physical teams with that side of the game."
BYU (3-3-2, 1-0-0 Big 12) controlled the final 30 minutes of the half with 12 shots and three corner kicks. The Cougars broke through in the 43rd minute as Avery Frischknecht redirected a corner kick from Sierra Pennock into the goal.
Winkworth added, "Today, there were not enough players who wanted the ball in those moments or were aggressive enough to go and get it. It was eye-opening for the squad as Big 12 play will be like this every week and especially on the road."
Keri Matthews recorded the first shot on goal for the Sun Devils in the 49th minute. Still looking for the equalizer, ASU began to apply more pressure in the 70th minute when Valladares had a shot tipped off the post. That led to three straight corners from the Sun Devils, and a chance from Olivia Coleman blocked off the line.
Pauline Nelles made a season-high eight saves to keep ASU in the game. She pushed two BYU shots over the crossbar in the first half and came up with another two strong stops in the final 45 minutes.
More from Winkworth, "I was pleased with our initial response after halftime, but ultimately, the better team won, and as a coach, you never enjoy saying this when on the losing side. I felt Gilly (Grace Gillard) had a good game at the back and almost got us the equalizer. Pauli (Nelles) too, bounced back this week with an excellent performance."
ASU finished the night with eight shots from seven different players, two of which were on goal. BYU ended with 22 shots – nine on goal – and the Cougars held a 12-8 edge in corner kicks.
"Ultimately, we have lost the game on another set piece, and once again, we have failed to attack the ball in the air. This is very disappointing, and we must work even harder at this in training to get better. We now brush this off though and start to focus on a talented Houston team," Winkworth concluded.
The Sun Devils will return to the road for two games next week, starting on Sept. 19 at Houston.
ASU (5-1-2, 0-1-0 Big 12) had the first two shots of the game and held possession over the first 15 minutes. That stretch was capped with a chance from Cameron Valladares, that was blocked in the penalty area to deny the goal.
"Not a good night at the office tonight," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "As head coach, it is my responsibility to help the girls to be prepared both physically and mentally for these types of occasions. We cannot hide in these types of games. We need to want the ball under pressure. We must roll our sleeves up and match physical teams with that side of the game."
BYU (3-3-2, 1-0-0 Big 12) controlled the final 30 minutes of the half with 12 shots and three corner kicks. The Cougars broke through in the 43rd minute as Avery Frischknecht redirected a corner kick from Sierra Pennock into the goal.
Winkworth added, "Today, there were not enough players who wanted the ball in those moments or were aggressive enough to go and get it. It was eye-opening for the squad as Big 12 play will be like this every week and especially on the road."
Keri Matthews recorded the first shot on goal for the Sun Devils in the 49th minute. Still looking for the equalizer, ASU began to apply more pressure in the 70th minute when Valladares had a shot tipped off the post. That led to three straight corners from the Sun Devils, and a chance from Olivia Coleman blocked off the line.
Pauline Nelles made a season-high eight saves to keep ASU in the game. She pushed two BYU shots over the crossbar in the first half and came up with another two strong stops in the final 45 minutes.
Still scoreless after a clutch save from Nelles
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) September 13, 2024
34' | ASU 0-0 BYU
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More from Winkworth, "I was pleased with our initial response after halftime, but ultimately, the better team won, and as a coach, you never enjoy saying this when on the losing side. I felt Gilly (Grace Gillard) had a good game at the back and almost got us the equalizer. Pauli (Nelles) too, bounced back this week with an excellent performance."
ASU finished the night with eight shots from seven different players, two of which were on goal. BYU ended with 22 shots – nine on goal – and the Cougars held a 12-8 edge in corner kicks.
"Ultimately, we have lost the game on another set piece, and once again, we have failed to attack the ball in the air. This is very disappointing, and we must work even harder at this in training to get better. We now brush this off though and start to focus on a talented Houston team," Winkworth concluded.
The Sun Devils will return to the road for two games next week, starting on Sept. 19 at Houston.