For over a century, the Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils have fueled the desert, bringing one of the best rivalries in the NCAA. The rivalry in the desert southwest has always stirred the pot, from buzzer-beaters in basketball to the Territorial Cup in football.
For head coach Greg Winkworth’s soccer team this offseason, getting a playmaker certainly would elevate the maroon and gold after a disappointing season in 2023-24 and the fact they were headed to the Big 12.
They didn’t have to look far, as they were able to snag junior forward Cameron Valladares out of the transfer portal. Valladares had played the previous two seasons with the Arizona Wildcats.
Last season, during her time down the I-10, Valladares notched four goals, including one game-winning goal and an assist. She was also second in points for the Wildcats.
This season, Valladares has seen the same success in Tempe and has been one of the Sun Devils’ best offensive threats.
“She’s been a bright spot, great goal to score, but it doesn’t feel as special when you’re on the end of a losing result,” Winkworth said after the Sun Devils second home loss to the Utah Utes. “But I was very pleased with her. To be honest, it was a goal against her on a play, and it was a gift in that sense, and when you get gifts like that, you’ve got to take advantage of those opportunities.”
This season, Valladares is second in team goals after recording the lone goal against the Utah Utes with six goals behind freshman forward Kierra Blundell.
Senior defenseman Lucy Johnson, who’s played a pivotal role for the Sun Devils on defense this season, also sees Valladares as a bright spot as she’s been able to lead the charge offensively for ASU.
“She’s been very good,” Johnson said. “She’s very direct, which is brilliant, and I think maybe we need all of us to be like that. At times, and situations, when we’re down maybe we will need to be a bit more direct like that.”
As the season draws to a close, these games down the stretch are becoming increasingly important, which will have major implications for ASU’s chances at making the playoffs.
The Sun Devils (7-3-3, 2-3-1 Big 12) hit the road one final time as they take on the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs (8-2-2, 4-2-0 Big 12), who have had great success thus far.
After the Horned Frogs, Valladares and company return home for a final stretch of games, taking on the Kansas State Wildcats (3-7-2, 0-1-4 Big 12), the Kansas Jayhawks (5-4-3, 3-0-3 Big 12), and finally, the rivals down south, and Valladares former team, the Arizona Wildcats (8-3-2, 3-2-1 Big 12).
With playoff hopes on the line, the Sun Devils will need a spark from Valladares, who has continued to show up day in and day out, regardless of the opponent on the other side.
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