[slideshow_deploy id='157840']
This game was the definition of win or go home.
The Sun Devils faced rival UA in their regular season finale with a lot on the line for both teams. While a victory would not guarantee either team a spot in the NCAA tournament, a loss would almost assuredly cost them both a spot.
With a packed stadium and the sound of vuvuzelas ringing throughout, ASU got all the offense they needed on a goal from freshman defender Madison Stark, whose goal in the 20th minute would be the only score in a 1-0 ASU victory.
The goal was the first of Stark's season and her career.
“I’ll take it from anywhere,” Boyd said. “Thats one of the things we've needed recently. We've needed more players get on the board. You've got to love that effort from the right back, and when you look that she's a freshman, we get a lot of time with her.”
Both teams would continue to bring the intensity, attack the goals with ferocity. Junior forward Cali Farquharson had two of ASU’s shots on goal, with the team taking eight shots total in the first half.
UA had seven shots on total, two of which were on goal. Although UA was playing catchup, the Wildcats kept their cool throughout the first half.
In the second half, both teams continue to play with great intensity and the match was fairly even.
ASU continued to get good looks, tallying 15 total shots, six of which were on goal. ASU got off 14 shots but only four were on target.
UA would start to play more desperately in the final 10 minutes, when the Wildcats were looking for the game tying goal to force overtime.
“It really wasn't until the last ten or so when they just threw people forward and it got dangerous, but I thought we did a good job of managing the game that way.” Boyd said. “That was their best chance of the whole game and it came in the last ten seconds. Fortunately, lady luck smiled on us right then.”
Junior defender McKenzie Berryhill played a huge part in the win with her defensive effort.
“Technically, she is very, very good, so she doesn't make many mistakes with the ball,” Boyd said. “She also has an uncanny sense of pressure, of speed of pressure, so she plays balls before people arrive or she cuts out of them before they can get there, so she can get play out and calm us down ... I would argue that she is the best defender in the league, or in our conference, if not her, she's one of two.”
Despite the late surge from UA, ASU would hold on for a crucial 1-0 victory.
“I thought it was a very close game,” Boyd said. “I'm really proud of the team not only for this game but for the last game as well, from the way we responded to a couple trying weekends and got that going again, and we look more like us again. I think we could be a dangerous team in the playoffs.”
The win puts ASU in a good standing for making the postseason for the first time since 2012.
“The RPI has frustrated me to no end this year,” Boyd said. “I think there are years where the RPI loves teams and hates teams, and we were on the hated team this year. I just could not figure it out. I think we needed this win. I think we should have been in no matter where. I feel strongly about that. Our resume is too good, we've beaten too many good teams.”
There has been debate whether or not a record nine teams from the Pac–12 should make the playoffs.
“I think nine should get in,” Boyd said. “They had nine (from the) ACC in last year. It’s not about how many your conference gets in, its who deserves to get in. The truth is the Pac–12 is by far the best conference in the country, we've been proving that all year long.”
The Sun Devils await the Monday decision on whether or not they make the playoffs.
Reach the reporter at mtsteine@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @MarcTSteiner
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter.
