ASU Soccer Held Scoreless in 0-0 Tie Against Oklahoma State

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona State Sun Devils (8-0-2) and the Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-4-2) both finished Thursday’s game scoreless. This was a bit of a surprise for ASU soccer since it just beat formally ranked No. 10 BYU last week in a dominating fashion. 

ASU came into Thursday’s game feeling good after its 2-1 win over BYU. OSU was coming off of a devastating loss against Kansas and was looking to make a statement on the road against ASU. However, on Thursday night, neither team could find the back of the net, and the match ended in a 0-0 tie.

“Oklahoma State came here to try and get a point, and they got what they came for,” ASU coach Graham Winkworth said. “They didn’t come here to try and score a goal, they came to make sure we didn’t.” 

Even though the Sun Devils were unable to score in the match, they did manage to record 28 shots, including nine shots on goal against the OSU defense and sophomore goalkeeper Logan Marks.

ASU couldn’t score early

To start the game, ASU kicked the ball off to OSU, but soon defended the ball back to ASU territory. One thing ASU has been known for is scoring early in the first half, or in the first half in general. The Sun Devils expressed last week they needed to continue with that moving forward into the year.

This was the first game of the season where ASU failed to score in the first half.

“My message to the offense moving forward is to continue to do what we do. Only one team tried to win that game of soccer,” Winkworth said. “We had 28 attempts, so on another day we might score 4 goals. We don’t normally have loads of penalties, we usually have loads of chances.

“When we look back at the expected goals of that game it’s going to be like 4-0. I can’t be frustrated with how we were playing offensively because we had so many chances to win the game. We just have to do better.” 

In the first half, ASU recorded two corner kicks not even two minutes into the game. It was looking like the Sun Devils would dominate against the Cowboys’ defense. Freshman defender/midfielder/forward Addison Baltodano showcased amazing offensive plays early into the half with speed and power to help create offensive plays alongside teammate senior midfielder/forward Cameron Valladares.

OSU’s goalkeeper shined

However, it was clear ASU was struggling offensively as the first half went on. The Sun Devils just weren’t on the same page, and OSU played very defensively. OSU’s goalkeeper, Marks, was absolutely phenomenal against ASU. She was everywhere on the field when her team needed her most. Every shot attempt, she was always there to get at least one hand on the ball.

Senior midfielder/defender Tatum Thomason was all over the field recording 6 shots for the game. However, Marks stopped all shots, including a long shot by Thomason in the middle of the first half.

ASU had dominated Oklahoma State, statistically, as the first half came to an end. ASU recorded 13 shots compared to OSU’s four shots for the half.

“We could have had more shots on frame,” senior midfielder Peyton Marcisz said. “We can’t expect to win a game with 28 shots, and nine on frame.”

Frustration continues in second half

ASU really needed to get something going offensively in the second half. The Sun Devils came out with a chip on their shoulder and began to play more aggressively. OSU is known for its height and strong players. ASU needed to match that physicality with energy going into the second half.

Senior defender Grace Gillard and senior defender Izzy Monck started generating some organized offensive play for ASU. However, nothing was getting past the Cowboys’ goalkeeper as she dove and defended every single shot OSU defenders couldn’t reach.

“I think the mentality of the team, we kept a clean sheet,” Gillard said. “Obviously defensively we were doing well, but also the amount of chances we created. We didn’t finish any of them, but the whole team is involved in those.” 

Corner kicks came left and right from ASU, but they produced nothing. The offense really struggled on the field getting connections and being on the same page.

Thomason had 6 shots in the game and put the team on her shoulders to try to get something, really, anything going. She showcased her talent with her speed getting ASU’s best scoring opportunity with a penalty kick. As Thomason was double-teamed, she beat both OSU defenders and still attempted a shot on goal. Thomason was able to get the penalty shot, but was denied by Marks with an unbelievable diving save.

“I think their goal keeper was fantastic, and I think the save after the penalty was even better,” Winkworth said. “Congratulations to her because I would be voting for her for goal keeper this week because she was phenomenal.”

Sun Devils finish scoreless

As the game came to conclusion, Marks had nine saves compared to ASU senior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles’ two saves. Both statistically and on the field, ASU had the more powerful offense and always found a way to be in control of the game. However, you could tell ASU became frustrated on the field, not just with the teamwork, but with the amount of fouls that began to add up.

The Sun Devils finished the game with 13 fouls, while the Cowboys finished the game with four fouls. This had a huge effect on the offensive side of the ball, as they were trying to get at least one goal on the board before the game was over. 

The game ended in a 0-0 tie. ASU still remains undefeated on the season, but will add another tie to its record.

What’s next?

The Sun Devils next match is against UCF at home on Sunday, Sept. 28, as they will take on another challenging opponent.

“We are really excited for another opportunity. They are a top team in this league like we have been saying, Graham has been saying, ‘This league is anyone’s to take,'” Gillard said. “I think we will go back and look and look at film from this game, and figure out what we need to work on. We will go on Sunday and work on those plays.” 

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