TEMPE, Ariz.- Arizona State soccer took down No. 10 BYU in a soccer match like no other. ASU went in unranked and as the underdogs, and proved everyone wrong with a 2-1 win over BYU.
“I hope they don’t vote us again, I hope we stay unranked all season and continue to win games,” head coach Graham Winkworth said. “When I see teams being ranked above us, there are lots of teams who are undefeated, and lots of teams who are defeated that we have beaten comfortably.
“I don’t really understand the rankings, and I don’t really care for it. If we are ranked, it would be nice. Although those rankings don’t get you into the post season, wins do.”
BYU entered the match ranked No. 10 in the nation. Although ASU had started the season undefeated, with an impressive 7-0-1 record, BYU would be the ultimate test to see if the Sun Devils had what it takes to be a threat this season.
ASU started strong
ASI started the first half strong, quickly turning BYU over. It was very clear from the start, ASU wanted to get the offense going against BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood’s squad. Early in the first half, senior forward Cameron Valladeres scored a remarkable goal against the BYU defense. Versatile freshman Addison Baltodano earned the assist after an amazing pass to Valladeres, which resulted in the goal.
“We have started games off really well so far,” Winkworth said. “We are going to need to continue this as the season goes on.”
As the game went on, BYU’s defense had a hard time keeping up with the ball as ASU’s offense looked dominant. The Cougars had a hard time containing senior midfielder/forward Tatum Thomason, who recorded two shots on goal in the span of minutes.
The Sun Devils defense stepped up in the first half, and ASU kept complete control of the game as it went into halftime. ASU shutout BYU in the first half and led 1-0 at halftime.
ASU continues to dominate in the second half
As the second half began, BYU had to get something going. Not only were the Cougars facing a deficit, but their offensive and defensive scheme were not working for them. As a Top 10 team, there was still hope for BYU, but it needed to fix its errors from the first half.
Thomason continued to put the pressure on BYU’s sophomore goal keeper Paiton Collins with an amazing shot on goal. Throughout the game, Thomason was not only helped ASU control the ball, but she created plays too. She would dance around the Cougars’ defense and perform multiple spin moves, along with filthy passes to teammates like Valladeres.
Just seconds after Thomason’s shot on goal, ASU scored its second goal of the night. Baltodano raced down the field and beat two Cougar defenders as she shot for the net. Her timing was the key to this goal as she slowed down her ball control, and made the defense question what she was about to do. Vallederes and sophomore midfielder/forward Sierra Bergen picked up the assist.
BYU gets on the board late
BYU had been quiet for the most part with the offense struggling to get anything going, seemingly unable to find each other on the field. That all changed when sophomore defender Presley Freeman made an electric goal against ASU’s defense. You could tell the Sun Devils were tired from defending as hard as they had all night, and the Freeman took that as an opportunity to make a phenomenal play.
BYU started to show its true colors as the 10th ranked team nationally, dominating on offense. Freeman’s goal turned the rest of the game around, and the Cougars looked to score again against the tired ASU defense.
ASU responds for the win
However, ASU responded and took control of the ball for the the remaining minutes. The Sun Devils took the win over the win over No. 10 BYU in a game like no other. With this win, not only did it show ASU it can beat a top-ranked team, but it showed it can be dangerous this season. Winkworth led the team to an absolutely dominating victory, and showcased a dominating defensive effort, along with offensive talent.
“They are the ranked opponent, you know, we have nothing to lose. They are the ones in the rankings, so they have something to lose, we don’t,” senior defender Grace Gillard said. “This is an opportunity for us and we were just really excited to come out on home turf and play against them. So, we just took the opportunity.”
ASU also broke the attendance record, with fans packed shoulder to shoulder. To combat ASU’s home support, BYU’s phenomenal fan base also showed up. After the game, Winkworth noted the impressive fan support.
“Obviously a lot of BYU fans, when you burst into the seams and having to stand every moment,” Winkworth said. “That is the kind of atmosphere we love.”
The Sun Devils will now play Oklahoma State at home next Thursday. As of right now, ASU is looking stronger than ever and will look to continue its seven-game win streak against the Cowboys.
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