With a goal allowed in each half, the ASU soccer team was a part of a 2-0 loss against Utah on Sunday. The loss not only marked the Sun Devils second shutout of the season, but it also ended their five-game unbeaten streak.
ASU's top goal-scorer in freshman forward Nicole Douglas was not present in Sunday's match due to a recent commitment with England's Under-19 National Team. Nonetheless, the team was still able to create opportunities to score throughout the game.
"Obviously, when you lose your top goal scorer, it's a challenge," head coach Graham Winkworth said. "It is what it is. We got a deep squad, and unfortunately we didn't coach them up well enough to score some goals today."
By the time the first hydration break rang at the 21st minute, ASU had notched seven shots.
Freshman midfielder Alexia Delgado's shot at the 15th minute was just shy from entering the goal, but was saved in-between the post and Utes junior goalkeeper Carly Nelson.
While the Utes defense held strong, the offense woke up from a slumber with a surprising 1-0 lead in the remaining seconds of the first half.
Only minutes later at the start of the second half, the Utes continued their momentum when sophomore forward Jessica Hixson gave her team a comfortable 2-0 lead on an assist from junior forward Ireland Dunn.
"We definitely have to look back at the game and reflect on the performance," senior defender Jemma Purfield said. "We all realized it wasn't good enough, but I think we need to pick it up a little bit more in detail in the film room and think about how we can improve into our games in California."
The Sun Devils would go on to see some slightly hopeful moments that could have evened the score out.
Freshman forward Marleen Schimmer's wide shot at the 71st minute just skimmed the top of the crossbar, and senior midfielder Casey Martinez's long shot at the 75th minute merely missed Nelson, and then danced around the crossbar before making its way out.
"Credit to their (Utah's) goalkeeper," Winkworth said. "Lady luck wasn't on our side. If the one that Shimmy (Schimmer) hit with 20 minutes goes in, it's a different last 15 minutes than what it might have been today."
ASU is set to hit the road for two big matchups coming up with No. 16 UCLA (6-3-1) on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m., and then they will take on No. 2 USC (9-1-1) on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m.
Reach the reporter at Edith.Noriega@asu.edu or follow @Noriega_Edith on Twitter.
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