(Photo: Steve Rodriguez/ASU Athletics)
The Arizona State soccer team snapped its three-game losing streak by beating the Utah Utes 2-1 on the road.
ASU forward Cali Farquharson netted two goals in the contest and extender her team-high goal total to 14.
With the win, the Sun Devils now sit ninth in the Pac-12 with 12 points and improved their record to 10-5-4. The Utes (8-7-4, 1-7-2 Pac-12) on the other hand are in 11th place.
The Utes possessed the ball patiently for a majority of the early parts of the game, but they were unable to catch the ASU defense out of position. Utah only mustered up three shots in the first half.
In the 20th minute, ASU center back McKenzie Berryhill hit Farquharson on a long through ball, and Farquharson beat one defender in the counterattack and placed the ball into the back of net past goalkeeper Lindsey Luke.
Arizona State’s team defense created scoring chances from all parts of the field in the first half. Berryhill tackled and passed from the defensive third for an assist, and Farquharson and forward Aly Moon forced three turnovers in the attacking third, which led to shots.
Both teams picked up the offensive urgency in the second half.
Sun Devil midfielder Lucy Lara played the ball to Farquharson behind Utah’s offside trap. Farquharson once again sent it home to increase the lead to 2-0 69th minute. Following the play, Lara and Ute midfielder Avery Jenkins found their way into the book, receiving a yellow card each.
In the 76th minute, Jenkins found the head of Utah defender Megan Trabert on a corner kick, and Trabert slotted it in to make the score 2-1 and give the Utes hope.
However, Utah couldn’t find easy shots late in the game, and ASU goalie Chandler Morris ended the game with three saves.
The Sun Devils face the Arizona Wildcats (10-6-2, 5-4-1 Pac-12) on Friday in Tempe for their last game of the regular season.
You can reach Anthony Prosceno via e-mail at aproscen@asu.edu, or on Twitter at @The_A_Pro.
