For the ASU women’s soccer team, Friday’s game against UA serves as a conference home opener, a rivalry match, and an important Pac-10 matchup all rolled into one.
The Sun Devils (7-3-2, 1-1 Pac-10) face a Wildcat team (4-7-2, 0-2) they haven’t beaten in two years, including a 2-1 double-overtime thriller in Tucson last season.
ASU coach Kevin Boyd said he expects to see the UA squad bring a lot of intensity to the game.
“What this game brings, and every rivalry game brings, is a pride element, and that is a tremendous motivator and they have really carried that strongly the last couple years,” Boyd said. “I’m just hoping that we bring a little bit more on our end.”
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However, ASU sophomore midfielder Taylor McCarter doesn’t think energy will be a problem for the Sun Devils.
“They’re our rivals, so we’re going to come out strong, and they’re going to do the same,” McCarter said. “It’s going to be a battle; it’s going to be fun. I’m excited.”
After outshooting Washington on Sunday but coming away with a loss, the Sun Devils are also looking to add a new dynamic to their offense, senior forward Jill Shoquist said.
“We were working on a lot of forward runs and just trying to be more productive with going forward and getting behind the back line,” Shoquist said. “We generated a lot of shots, but we just have to find a way to stick them in the goal.”
Boyd said he feels the team is close to a breakthrough on offense after playing solid but only scoring one goal in their last five games.
“I think we’re getting to the point where we’re defending pretty well; we’re keeping the ball well now,” Boyd said. “It’s now about that final third and creating good chances there.”
The Wildcats have been outscored by their opponents 29-17 so far this season, but are closer on shots, at 166-189.
The UA roster lists 12 freshmen, and is a team that is still growing. But despite the team’s youth, Boyd said they look confident on the ball and possess a good passing game.
“They open up spaces for themselves and get great dangerous chances,” Boyd said. “It’s our job to not let them have that much time on the ball, not let them get a rhythm, and not let them get some open and clear chances.”
Friday’s game could also have postseason consequences for the Sun Devils, and a win would be important for ASU’s NCAA tournament hopes, Boyd said.
Since UA already has seven losses on the season, the Wildcats would likely have to win out in order to make the tournament. Last season, the Sun Devils were the last team from the Pac-10 to make the tournament, with a 9-7-3 record.
“We’re in the mix, and I don’t know that they are,” Boyd said. “So I don’t know that’s going to be their foremost concern.”
The clash takes place at 7 p.m. in Tempe at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. ASU’s last win in the series came in 2007.
Reach the reporter at egrasser@asu.edu
