KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sun Devil Soccer saw its season come to an end in the first round of the 2024 Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Soccer Championship with a 2-1 loss to Kansas on Wednesday evening at CPKC Stadium.
Arizona State ends its season with an 8-8-3 overall record and a trip to the conference tournament in its first season as a member of the Big 12.
"I want to congratulate Kansas on their victory," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "They are very difficult to play against with their direct, high tempo style and do a wonderful job at it. We struggled against the wind in the first half but were able to stay in the match and come in 1-0 down. The second half was much more even and we limited Kansas to taking shots from long range. Unfortunately, they scored a top class goal in this way. The team responded well though and pulled one back quickly."
Kansas (10-5-4) maintained much of the possession early in the game and took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute when Lexi Watts scored from inside the penalty area. That was part of a first half that the Jayhawks finished with an 11-1 edge in shots.
The ASU deficit reached 2-0 in the 58th minute on a strike from Caroline Castans from well outside the penalty area.
Looking for a way back into the match, the Sun Devils found it less than 60 seconds later. A ball played into the area was misplayed by the KU defense and ended with a goal from Kierra Blundell. The goal was the ninth of the season for the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
The last chance from the Sun Devils came in the 84th minute, but a look from Keri Matthews would carry off target.
Winkworth added, "We battled hard but sadly it was not enough on the night."
Pauline Nelles came up with five saves, including a punch over the bar in the first half to keep the deficit at one.
ASU finished the night with only four shots, and the goal was the only one on target. Kansas was credited with 21 shots, and they held a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks.
"I want to say a massive thank you to an incredible senior class. They have been wonderful. It has been incredible few years with them and I am delighted that they have been able to reach the NCAA national playoffs a couple of times (three in some cases). I am very proud of them and I am so lucky that they have been part of my life. I cannot wait to watch them succeed in the next chapter of their lives," Winkworth shared.
Arizona State ends its season with an 8-8-3 overall record and a trip to the conference tournament in its first season as a member of the Big 12.
"I want to congratulate Kansas on their victory," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "They are very difficult to play against with their direct, high tempo style and do a wonderful job at it. We struggled against the wind in the first half but were able to stay in the match and come in 1-0 down. The second half was much more even and we limited Kansas to taking shots from long range. Unfortunately, they scored a top class goal in this way. The team responded well though and pulled one back quickly."
Kansas (10-5-4) maintained much of the possession early in the game and took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute when Lexi Watts scored from inside the penalty area. That was part of a first half that the Jayhawks finished with an 11-1 edge in shots.
The ASU deficit reached 2-0 in the 58th minute on a strike from Caroline Castans from well outside the penalty area.
Looking for a way back into the match, the Sun Devils found it less than 60 seconds later. A ball played into the area was misplayed by the KU defense and ended with a goal from Kierra Blundell. The goal was the ninth of the season for the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
The last chance from the Sun Devils came in the 84th minute, but a look from Keri Matthews would carry off target.
Winkworth added, "We battled hard but sadly it was not enough on the night."
Pauline Nelles came up with five saves, including a punch over the bar in the first half to keep the deficit at one.
ASU finished the night with only four shots, and the goal was the only one on target. Kansas was credited with 21 shots, and they held a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks.
"I want to say a massive thank you to an incredible senior class. They have been wonderful. It has been incredible few years with them and I am delighted that they have been able to reach the NCAA national playoffs a couple of times (three in some cases). I am very proud of them and I am so lucky that they have been part of my life. I cannot wait to watch them succeed in the next chapter of their lives," Winkworth shared.