TEMPE, AZ – Despite winning four of its last five games, Arizona Soccer (8-7-3) fell to rival ASU (9-5-3, 5-5-1) 3-2 in their season finale.
Entering their season finale, Arizona Soccer had been rolling! Winners in five of its last seven games, including two straight, the Wildcats had finally found its rhythm late in the season.
Returning to action against rival Arizona State in Tempe, the Wildcats had a winnable game, but it wasn’t going to be an easy matchup as they returned to the pitch.
Hoping to continue their winning ways and make a last-minute postseason push, the Wildcats looked primed early on, but couldn’t hang on.
Despite capturing a 2-1 lead early in the second half, Arizona State rallied for two goals to topple Arizona Soccer.
Riding a recent high from their strong play, Arizona looked poised from the start, but unfortunately, it was the Sun Devils that would strike first as Keri Matthews found the back of the net in the 24th minute of action.
Trailing 1-0, luckily the Wildcats were able to even the score in the 42nd minute just before halftime as a cross from the Wildcats deflected off the ASU defender, careening into their own goal.
Tied 1-1 at halftime, Arizona carried their momentum into the second half as just minutes in, Nyota Katembo would sneak one past the ASU goalie to make it 2-1 in favor of the Cats at the 47th minute.
Unfortunately, the Cats couldn’t hang on as just minutes later, the Sun Devils would even this one when ASU’s Eva van Deursen found the back of the net on an assist from Hannah Leitner.
Tied 2-2, ASU would score again, this time in the 79th minute when some great passing set up Lucy Johnson who put the dagger in the Cats.
Unfortunately, Arizona could not recover as they ultimately fell 3-2 in their season finale against Arizona State.
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 8-7-3 on the year and will wait to learn their fate in the coming days. However, the hope is Arizona did just enough to possibly sneak into the postseason.
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