BOULDER, Colo. — Arizona State (9-3-2 overall, 2-3-1 Big 12) dropped its second consecutive match for the first time this season with a 2-0 loss to No. 24 Colorado (10-2-2 overall, 4-1-1 Big 12) on Friday night.
ASU entered its final match of a three-game road trip looking to shake off Sunday’s 2-0 defeat in West Virginia. The Maroon and Gold also looked for three points that would put them level with the Buffaloes and into the top six of the Big 12 standings.
Both teams created opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. ASU senior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles made a double save in the 15th minute, denying senior midfielder Emerson Layne from point blank range before stopping junior forward Hope Leyba’s effort on a diving save.
Colorado continued to test Sparky minutes later when the Sun Devil defense cleared sophomore forward Jace Holley’s shot off the line. Nelles made another save on the ensuing chance on Leyba’s header.
ASU’s best chance to break the deadlock came in the 32nd minute. After a giveaway, senior forward Tatum Thomason ripped a shot from outside the box. With the Buffaloes’ senior goalkeeper Jordan Nytes off her line, the striker pulled her effort just left of the post.
Just like last Sunday, the Sun Devils trailed at halftime after junior midfielder Reagan Kotschau headed in her fourth goal of the season off a free kick, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead five minutes before the break.
Sun Devils lacked clear cut chances in the second half. However, they came close to equalizing seven minutes after halftime on a long range effort by junior defender Lucy Fazackerley, whose shot needed to be tipped over the crossbar by Nytes.
Colorado doubled its lead with 12 minutes to go after Holley found space on a breakaway, slotting the ball past Nelles to net her 10th goal of the season.
ASU will return home to host No. 11 Texas Tech, who currently sits at second place in the Big 12, at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m. MST.
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