TEMPE — Arizona State wrapped up its final home game on Sunday afternoon at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium, losing 2-1 against No. 9 TCU.
ASU coach Graham Winkworth’s squad had a ton of chances early on. Senior midfielder/forward Cameron Valladares and senior midfielder Peyton Marcisz ventured in the attacking third but could not capitalize against a strong TCU backline, highlighted by senior defender Katana Norman.
“Today we did not have a lot of possession,” Sun Devil senior midfielder/forward Tatum Thomason said. “TCU is a great side … I think just putting our chances away. We had several chances in the first 10 minutes that we could have put away. So I think showing up next Thursday, (we) have to be ready to put those chances away.”
ASU has struggled on the injury front, most recently losing sophomore forward Sierra Bergen. Thomason pointed out the struggles at first with figuring out their press, but noted how the team responded and figured it out down the stretch.
The counter-attacking game also took a big hit for the Sun Devils in Bergen’s absence.
“I think the biggest thing for us now is when we win the ball with our press, (we need) to keep the ball and counter, using our strengths and finish the ball,” Thomason said.
The Sun Devils only goal came in the second half when their counter-attack started clicking. In the 67th minute, freshman defender/midfielder/forward Addison Baltodano sent a cross from the left side of the pitch into the center of the box. Thomason gained control of the ball and sent a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
7th goal of the season for number 7 👊
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) October 26, 2025
66’ ASU 1 | TCU 2 pic.twitter.com/MTDuMJMuCz
The Thomason and Baltodano connection has been on full display for the Sun Devils this year. They have assisted each other’s finishes multiple times this season, continuing to have great build-up play.
“Addie (Baltodano) is great,” Thomason said. “She is my little freshman, also from Arizona, so that has been fun. For a freshman, she is unbelievable and she is only going to get stronger as the years go on … We play off each other really well. So just keep doing what we are doing.”
The Sun Devils struggled on set pieces today. Offensively, they were not able to generate many attacks, resulting in tallying a season low of two corners.
On the flip side, ASU gave up seven corners, one of which led to a goal for TCU sophomore midfielder Morgan Brown. Sparky struggled against crosses, reflected by the corner kick goal, but also an own goal from junior defender Lucy Fazackerley.
“We did not attack much today,” Winkworth said. “We did not get the ball to try and win those corner kicks. We are dangerous on corner kicks … Unfortunately, when you are playing a team that was better than you on the day, those opportunities do not come.”
Winkworth’s players pride themselves on set pieces, having scored nine goals from corner kicks alone.
The Maroon and Gold crowd tried to be a factor tonight as they sold out on the team’s final home game of the season, and a day in which many team members were wearing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Great showing of support here at the final home Sun Devil Soccer game.
— Brennan Bucher (@BrennanBucher) October 26, 2025
JJ Van Niel (of course, with a deck of cards), Graham Rossini, and a fair amount of administration is here supporting ASU.
The Sun Devils will face the Arizona for an in-state battle this Thursday at 7 p.m., last beating the Wildcats in Tucson in 2015. Although they may clinch a Big 12 tournament berth with a win, Winkworth’s squad might have to pick up similar if not better results than BYU, Cincinnati and Houston in order to keep their conference and NCAA tournament hopes alive.
“This is not just another game,” Winkworth said about the Wildcats. “This is U of A, and it is the Territorial Cup, and we are going down there to win.”
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