The Arizona State Sun Devils (5-0-2) won 2-1 against the Utah Tech Trailblazers (3-1-2) with the help of second-half goals from senior forward Keri Matthews and junior forward Cameron Valladares.
Despite the ball being in its half for the majority of the game, Utah Tech continuously prevented the Sun Devils from scoring attempts. ASU players attempted five shots and many crosses in the first half, with none scoring. Valladares noticed the Trailblazers’ defense strategies throughout the game.
“We noticed they were in their half a lot and not really trying to push forward much and just keep us locked down, which was difficult,” Valladares said.
Valladares also noticed the Trailblazers’ extensive research on the Sun Devils before Sunday’s game. Utah Tech was prepared for any typical scoring moves the Sun Devils may have attempted, ultimately holding them to only two goals.
“I think they came in and scouted us really well, like we do team film and get ready for our opponents too,” Valladares said. “And I think they did a really good job with the film on us.”
After a scoreless half, the Sun Devils adjusted, switching their formation to a 4-2-4 to be more offensively strong. This paid off as Matthews scored six minutes into the half, bringing ASU its first goal at 1-0.
The Lady Sun Devils were able to steal the ball and get ahead of the defense, thanks to the speed of fifth-year defender Lucy Johnson and junior midfielder/forward Enasia Colon. Johnson passed the ball across the penalty area down near the goal line, where Matthews booted it into the opposite side of the goal.
ASU had controlled the whole game and seemed certain to win 1-0 until the 84th minute when the game’s trajectory completely changed.
Utah Tech checked in senior midfielder Emily Garbett, who made the game-tying goal within forty seconds. Her shot came from incredibly deep, near the right sideline. The ball flew over all other players, including Sun Devil junior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles.
While the Trailblazers took a moment to celebrate, Nelles was visibly disappointed in herself. After the game, ASU head coach Graham Winkworth reassured her and reminded her of her efforts as a player.
“I mean, everybody makes mistakes,” Winkworth said. “She’s pulled down on herself. But I said, ‘Listen, Pauline, today the forwards pulled it out for you.’ I said, ‘But you pull it out for our forwards every other week, every single week. So you need to stop worrying about it.'”
Winkworth was unconcerned about Nelles’ missed goal block and expressed his confidence in her moving forward.
“She’s the best goalkeeper in the country, and I’ll argue that all day long with anybody,” Winkworth said.
Nelle’s and Arizona State’s forwards did have her back today, especially Valladares, who scored the game-winner in electrifying fashion. With just seconds left in the match, Matthews used her corner kick to pass to Valladares, allowing her to powerfully shoot the ball from near the goalie’s box to make the game-winning goal.
This is Valladares’s fourth goal of her first season with the Sun Devils. She wanted to try to pull off a last-second win against the Trailblazers and did so effortlessly.
“We found another chance,” Valladares said on her game-winning goal. “Let’s go for it to just win at the last second. So, it’s a little dramatic, but I think we got the job done eventually.”
Arizona State will try to carry the momentum from today’s win and continue its no-loss season into its match Thursday at 6 p.m. PST in Provo, Utah, against Brigham Young University (2-3-2). The Sun Devils game against the Cougars will be a tough test and their first in-conference game since joining the Big 12.
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