Before any games were played, ASU soccer already found itself on the outside looking in.
In the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll, the Sun Devils ranked 9th. If that prediction holds, it would mark back-to-back seasons coming up short of the conference tournament.
The program's struggles since joining the Big 12 provide context for their low expectations, with the Sun Devils going 6-12-4 in their first two seasons.
Those shortcomings helped light a renewed fire under coach Graham Winkworth. He wanted to make sure he got his team prepared for the top opponents in conference by building a tougher nonconference schedule.
Throughout those games, the team has responded by building an identity capable of competing with some of the best in the country.
Now, it's time to see if that success can translate to the Big 12.
"There's some extra edge to it because now we're playing in a league as well, but we feel like our nonconference schedule has really prepared us well for these tough games," Winkworth said. "When you bring North Carolina and LSU and Texas and other quality teams to our stadium, it is good preparation for the gauntlet that we're about to face in the Big 12."
Throughout their nonconference, the Sun Devils relied upon their stingy defense. In their eight games, they conceded just four goals, including two penalties.
That defense is anchored by seniors Lucy Fazackerley and Natalie Drotzmann. The two lead the Sun Devils in minutes played. While they set the example, the rest of the team has bought into that same defensive identity.
"My parents would always tell me if they don't score, they can't win," sophomore goalkeeper Kennedy Zorn said. "Defensively as a unit, we've been really solid … I'm really proud of the group, because every day we come in, we work hard and we take pride in clean sheets."
Their most impressive performance came against North Carolina, who reached the top of the rankings this past Sunday. The Sun Devils held one of the top offenses in the country to just four shots and conceded one through a penalty.
Despite the loss, the showing instilled confidence that ASU can hang with the nation's best.
"This is a 23 national championship (winning) team," team captain Peyton Marcisz said after their 1-0 loss. "This is one of the biggest games for a lot of us, especially the young girls. This is a really good team to play against, and it's not a conference game. So going into the Big 12, having this under our belt, it's really good."
Although the Sun Devils held the Tar Heels at bay, things won't get easier for them in Big 12 play.
In the NCAA coaches' poll held prior to the conference openers, six Big 12 teams were in the top 25: West Virginia (9), Baylor (12), Colorado (15), TCU (20), BYU (23) and UCF (25).
Out of these top-performing programs, ASU is scheduled to take on three. They all come within the team's last four contests, as they play host to Baylor and Colorado before traveling to face BYU. That, along with the Territorial Cup matchup against Arizona, adds to an intense final stretch of the year.
Before ASU reaches that gauntlet, it has to survive the road. With three of their first four conference games calling for Sun Devil travel — to Kansas, Kansas St. and No. 25 Texas Tech. ASU's early challenge will be to collect points in enemy territory.
"Winning's hard in the Big 12, as we've seen in the past. Winning away is even harder," Winkworth said. "We're going to get as many points as we can on the road, and then we've got five of seven matches to finish the season at home, and we've definitely got to pick up points on our own."
ASU's defense could prove especially valuable on the road. If they can continue to limit goal-scoring chances, they give themselves the opportunity to collect points, even away from Tempe.
But the late-season gauntlet presents a different challenge. Against three ranked opponents, the Sun Devils' attack will have to turn its defensive foundation into victories.
In their conference opener, the Sun Devils showed early signs that their confidence from nonconference could translate to Big 12 success. Hosting Utah, ASU paired its physical approach with a productive attack, earning a 3-1 win.
Utah may be another lower-rated side within the Big 12, but for the last two years, they would have been an opponent the Sun Devils failed to capitalize on.
"There was a couple of games last year where we did let those points slip to those teams, and in the end, that was the difference between us making the tournament and us not making the tournament," junior forward Kierra Blundell, who scored twice in the game, said. "Getting these points today is huge, and we showed today our quality."
There is still a long way to go before ASU can prove their preseason ranking wrong. Throughout the nonconference, Winkworth and his squad have prepared to prove they belong among the best in the Big 12.
The rest of the season will show whether that preparation was enough to soar above the subpar.
Edited by Char O'Neil, Alan Deutschendorf III and Carsten Oyer.
Reach the reporter at jakobarnarsson@gmail.com and follow @JakobA2004 on X.
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