Skip to main content

No. 21 @SunDevilSoccer's unbeaten streaks come to an end against No. 17 LSU

Sep 5, 2021

TEMPE, Ariz. – The No. 21 Sun Devil soccer team had its five-game winning streak to open the 2021 season snapped on Sunday as No. 17 LSU made the most of its scoring opportunities in a 5-2 win.
 
The Sun Devils had more shots (22-17), more shots on goal (11-8) and a slight 4-3 advantage in corner kicks in the matchup of 5-0 teams. 
 
"Obviously really disappointed with the result," ASU head coach Graham Winkworth said. "Ultimately we missed too many chances in their penalty area and we didn't defend our penalty area enough. Overall, I was happy with the amount of (scoring) chances we created, but we have to be more clinical (on the offensive end) and more stingy at the other end of the pitch. Some 1v1 battles were lost, ultimately costing us the game but I was really proud of our effort in the second half. I thought the team responded well and hopefully that positive character will continue into next weekend when we have two tough games (vs. Nebraska and Texas Tech)."
 
The upset-minded Sun Devils (5-1) could not have asked for a better start after Olivia Nguyen scored her fifth goal of the season 37 seconds into the game. Jayda Hylton-Pelaia and Cori Sullivan connected on passes to set up Nguyen who surpassed her four scores from last season with the goal.
 
It appeared a shootout might be afoot after the Tigers (6-0) answered with the game-tying goal 43 seconds later after Rammie Noel found the back of the net for the first time this season.
 
Noel's goal was the first of five straight the Tigers scored as they added three more in the first half – ninth minute, 26th minute and 32nd minute – and another in the 65th minute on a penalty kick.
 
Although the final score said otherwise, the Sun Devils had several quality opportunities to match the Tigers goal for goal. Unfortunately for ASU, several of those chances were nullified by LSU goalkeeper Mollee Swift, who made nine saves, including six in the first half while the Tigers were building their lead.
 
Eva van Deursen scored her second goal of the season and the ninth of her career in the 78th minute after gathering in a pass from Sullivan and finding the back of the net with a perfectly-placed volley from outside the penalty arc.
 
The Sun Devils came into the game looking for their first 6-0 start since 2000. Last season the team also started 5-0 and did not encounter its first loss until the season's ninth game after a 6-0-2 start. Sunday's setback also was ASU's first in a non-conference, regular season game since 2019. ASU was 10-0-1 during that stretch. 
 
Up next for the Sun Devils is a trip to Tucson to face Nebraska (4-2) on Thursday (4 pm MST) and Texas Tech (5-0-1) on Sunday (11 am MST). Sunday's game can be seen on Pac-12 Networks.