The Sun Devil Desert Classic this weekend is a chance for the ASU women’s soccer team to make everything click against two tough out-of-state opponents.
The event pits the No. 25 Sun Devils (3-0-1) against Tennessee (2-2-0) on Friday and Nebraska (4-1-0) on Sunday.
“They’re both very well respected in the soccer world, and they’re both going to be really hard matches,” junior defender Kari Shane said. “We’ve been playing really well, so I hope it’s going to be a really good game against both teams.”
Key for the Sun Devils all weekend will be winning the possession game.
“I hope that we’ll be able to hold the ball a lot more,” Shane said. “We’re improving more and more as the weeks go by.”
ASU played UT last year in Knoxville and won in a double-overtime thriller. Senior forward Karin Volpe had the game-tying and game-winning goals in the 3-2 victory, while redshirt senior midfielder Lindsey Johns had the other ASU goal.
This year, ASU coach Kevin Boyd expects to face a dynamic UT team.
“I think they will be direct at times, but I think they’re going to focus on getting the ball to their forwards,” Boyd said. “I know they’re going to bring a physical battle.”
The Lady Vols lost their top scorer from last year, but do have six returning seniors, including goalkeeper Molly Baird, who started every match for UT last season.
UT is also coming off a tough 7-2 loss to No. 1 North Carolina, last season’s NCAA champions.
The Sun Devils tied UN 1-1 away last season, and also defeated the Huskers in a spring season match, 2-0.
“[Nebraska] tends to play a little more direct, with a lot more pressure up top,” Boyd said.
That pressure comes from UN’s tendency to play four forwards, Boyd said, as opposed to the more common two or three forwards.
This could lead to some interesting matchups throughout the game. While ASU will outnumber the Huskers in the midfield, the Sun Devil defense may see more pressure than they have all season.
UN attack will be led by sophomore forward Morgan Marlborough, last year’s Big 12 Rookie of the Year and a member of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team.
Marlborough scored 21 goals last year for the Huskers, easily leading the team in scoring.
“She’s a really good player and someone we’re going to have to work hard to contain,” Boyd said.
Shane also acknowledged the toughness of the UN squad.
“It always starts off frantic because we’re both great teams,” Shane said. “I think it’s going to be a hard-fought battle.”
The strength of the Sun Devils this weekend will ultimately come down to their younger players, Boyd said.
“There’s certainly things I liked about last weekend,” Boyd said. “But we still need to put a more complete game on the field.
“We’re a really young squad. We’re trying to play a little older, play a little more experienced and stay focused the entire time.”
The UA women’s soccer squad is also coming up from Tucson to play UT and UN in the event, but do not face ASU until Oct. 15.
Reach the reporter at egrasser@asu.edu
