MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — The Arizona State Sun Devils (9-2-2, 2-2-1 Big 12) ended their two-game weekend road trip with a loss after being defeated 2-0 by West Virginia (8-2-2, 3-0-2 Big 12) on Sunday afternoon.
It marked just the second team this season that coach Graham Winkworth’s side finished scoreless. The Mountaineers tallied over double the Sun Devils’ shot tally in the game, winning their fifth straight match at the Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
Both teams entered Sunday afternoon’s clash occupying spots in the top six of the Big 12 standings. A win for either side provided a chance to climb into the top four of the conference.
West Virginia dominated possession in the opening half and came close to opening the scoring on a chance in the ninth minute. However, sophomore midfielder Maddie Levy’s shot deflected and missed the frame.
The Mountaineers’ high pressure turned into a goal midway through the first half. The Maroon and Gold gave up possession on top of the box, letting an unmarked Levy drill a first-time effort past senior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles, netting her fifth goal of the season.
Sparky struggled to find its footing in the opening 45 minutes, failing to register a single shot compared to the Mountaineers’ six attempts. It was also only the third time this season that the side from Tempe conceded the first goal of a game.
Following halftime, Winkworth told the ESPN+ broadcast that his squad needed to be “braver on the ball.”
ASU performed better after the break, racking up six shots and mounting more pressure on the West Virginia defense.
At the other end, Levy forced a big save from Nelles early in the second half. The German goalkeeper parried the midfielder’s long-range effort off the post, keeping ASU in the game.
Sparky’s best offensive chance came in the 56th minute. Senior defender Grace Gillard rose for a header on a corner, but Levy leaped in front of her on the goal line and denied the senior her second goal in two matches.
With the visitors pressing for an equalizer, a giveaway by Gillard allowed sophomore defender Sophia Nickel to seal the game with a minute remaining after catching Nelles outside her box.
After recently winning seven straight games, the Maroon and Gold have now recorded one win in their last four outings. Winkworth’s team will get four days of rest before traveling to second-placed Colorado next Friday.
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