The ASU women's soccer team kicks off Pac-10 play this weekend when it takes on Washington tonight and No. 25 Washington State on Sunday at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
After going 6-5-0 in non-conference play, the Sun Devils don't want to waste any time in notching their first conference win against the Huskies (3-7-0).
To be successful in the Pac-10 they'll have to overcome an inability to score goals despite consistently out-shooting opponents.
"We're creating the opportunities, which is good. Normally you don't get that many chances," senior forward/midfielder Alissa Oldenkamp said. "We just gotta find a way to stick the ball in the back of the net."
The Sun Devils rank second in the conference in shots with 178, but rank eighth in goals scored (16) and goals per game (1.45).
Each of the Sun Devils' five losses has been by one goal, with three of those being 1-0 losses to ranked teams.
While Boyd challenged his forwards a couple weeks ago in practice to put more balls in the back of the net, he said he has not done the same this week despite being shut out in their last game against San Diego on Sunday.
"[The forwards] know we're counting on them and some of these close losses are kind of hanging on their shoulders right now and they need to change that," he said. "The last thing they need is us in their head every day."
The Sun Devil defense has been sound all season as it ranks third in the Pac-10 in goals allowed (7), goals against average (0.64) and shutouts (5).
While Washington comes into the game with only three wins, Boyd said that record is misleading.
"Washington's a funny team," he said. "They are well-coached and they play great soccer, so why aren't they winning?"
The Huskies have already played and lost to three ranked teams in No. 8 Purdue, No. 12 Portland and No. 15 Brigham Young.
Oldenkamp said the keys to beating the Huskies will be continuing to play solid defense, attacking and creating the chances to score.
ASU is 3-5-2 all-time against UW but is unbeaten in its last five matches.
The Sun Devils will then have yet another chance to upset a ranked team at home when they square off with No. 25 Washington State on Sunday.
The Cougars (7-1-2) are off to their best start since 2000 (8-2-0) and have been ranked in the Soccer America poll for five consecutive weeks for the first time since 1994.
ASU is 9-3 all-time against WSU and has won five straight against the Cougars.
Reach the reporter at gina.mizell@asu.edu.
