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It took two overtimes, and there was still no clear winner in today's game. Though the game ended in a 1-1 tie, there were positives and negatives for both teams.
After a very competitive first half, in which UCLA had a slight edge in possession, the game was tied 0-0.
UCLA would keep the Sun Devils from moving up the field, generally keeping possession in ASU’s midfield, with nine shots, two of which were on goal. UCLA put instant pressure on ASU, which the Sun Devils would be hard pressed to break.
However, ASU would eventually get through, and would give UCLA a taste of their own medicine, keeping a prolonged possession of the ball in dangerous areas.
The Sun Devil's best shot attempt in the first half came after a mistake by UCLA senior goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland. Rowland came very far out, and ASU stole the ball, leaving the goal wide open. Junior midfielder Tommi Goodman would capitalize off this opportunity, chipping a long shot at the goal, that was blocked in front of the goal by a UCLA defender.
It would be in the 49th minute of the game when junior forward Cali Farquharson would score the first goal of the game on a breakaway, faking the goalie out to score on a wide open net.
It was Farquharon's ninth goal of the season. Freshman midfielder Aly Moon was credited with the assist for setting up the score.
UCLA would push across the equalizer in the 67th minute, after a barrage of shots that had been blocked by the ASU defense.
“I was happy with the way Chandler played,” head coach Kevin Boyd said. “She was very unhappy with herself on that one goal, but I thought she did very well in multiple other situations.”
Shortly after, Morris would save yet another shot attempt, but in the battle for the ball, would take a hit. She would be slow to get up, but Boyd chose to keep her in the game.
The score would still be tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, forcing overtime. After a grueling 10 minutes, neither team could find the back of the net after having a handful of attempts, forcing double overtime. The game would ultimately end in a tie after both teams failed to score.
“I thought that we defended with a lot of energy and heart, and we made everything difficult,” Boyd said. “Both teams are going to get chances, it’s the quality of the chance that you allow.
The Sun Devils record is now 7-1-2, which is nothing to be ashamed of. They stood their ground against the No.1 ranked team in the nation.
“I would rather have the win.” Boyd said.
Even though a tie with the defending champions is more than acceptable, Boyd wasn't the only one who was unhappy.
“I really liked that there were a lot of downed faces, I really like that we are bummed out that we didn't play better and get a win,” Boyd said. “We didn't play that well. We did fine until we scored a goal. And then we scored a goal and lost the plot, completely lost the plot.”
Still, even though the team would have rather won, no one can argue that ASU is making a name for itself by playing with highly ranked teams.
“I can see where our program is going,” Boyd said. “We are actually ahead of where we thought we’d be. With all the young players we have playing, we are playing better than we thought we would this fast. We are a program on the rise.”
Reach the reporter at mtsteine@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @MarcTSteiner
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