ASU soccer falls at home to No. 12 Texas Tech in nail-biting fashion

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State fell to No. 12 Texas Tech, 3-2, in the final minutes of the game on Thursday night. The game was tied 2-2 in the last few minutes of the second half when the Red Raiders scored and sent the Sun Devils home with the loss.

Texas Tech started strong

Texas Tech showed up, and showed out in the first half of the match, showcasing great defense to compliment its complete ball control on offense.

The Red Raiders scored just 4:26 into the match. Junior forward Taylor Zdrojewski scored from across her body, and was assisted by sophomore midfielder Sam Courtwright.

The Sun Devils were struggling on both sides of the ball early in the match. ASU has been a dominant first half team this year, especially against big-name teams like BYU.

However, with 12 minutes into the game, ASU had zero shots, compared to Texas Tech’s six shots and a goal.

The Red Raiders snuck another goal across against the Sun Devil’s defense thanks to junior forward Storie Sexton with about 15 minutes until halftime.

“Absolutely ridiculous first half from our standpoint. I am devastated. I am frustrated to lose a game,” ASU coach Graham Winkworth said. “That first half performance deserved a defeat, but the second half performance didn’t, and it’s just frustrating.” 

At halftime, Texas Tech had 12 shots compared to ASU’s one. 

Sun Devils strong second half start

ASU came out with a chip on its shoulder as they tried to get something going.

“At halftime we really talked about what we needed to fix,” senior midfielder Peyton Marcisz said. “The coaches said we need to take some chances.”

The Sun Devils’ offense began to create plays that demonstrated good teamwork.

Marcisz scored five minutes into the second half to get ASU on the board. You could see the change and impact it made on the field, and the drive within the players.

10 minutes later in the game, ASU scored again to tie it up, 2-2. Sophomore midfielder/forward Sierra Bergen scored ASU’s game-tying goal from the assist by Marcisz.

Tight game late

The game remained tied until the very last few minutes, when Texas Tech found their opportunity and took advantage of it.

Zdrojewski scored with just five minutes left in the match, which gave Texas Tech the lead and the eventual win.

The Red Raiders got the best of the Sun Devils on Thursday night, 3-2. After a slow first half, ASU fought its way back. However, a last minute Texas Tech goal proved to be the difference.

ASU spent the last three games on the road, traveling from Cincinnati to West Virginia to Colorado, and will now head back on the road to face Iowa State and then Utah.

Winkworth voiced his frustrations with the scheduling after Thursday night’s loss.

“We are the only team in the Big 12 that travels five straight weekends. Everyone else got no more than two. We have five straight weekends on the road,” Winkworth said. “That is horrendous scheduling from the league. It’s not right, but you have to go with it. I don’t get to argue it, nor fight it. I just kept my peace with the league and that was that. We just have to keep our heads up and keep fighting.”

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