After missing her last two games with a hamstring injury, ASU soccer senior forward Cali Farquharson was inactive again in Wednesday's practice.
The Sun Devils (4-4) have dropped their last four games and are coming off of a 2-1 loss in the Pac-12 opener against Washington State.
Farquharson, the team's leading goal scorer, hasn't played since leaving in the 47th minute in a game against Oklahoma State on Sept.18.
The Sun Devils have been outscored 4-1 in the two games Farquharson hasn't appeared.
Coach Kevin Boyd is cautious about bringing her star player back too soon and putting her at risk of injury. He said Farquharson could have practiced today but opted against it.
"I'm trying to be patient and just wait it through and make sure that we do it when we think it's the right time," Boyd said. "You can never be positive."
Farquharson said she thought she would play and was dressed in uniform for Sunday's loss, but was limited in warm-ups and did not see game action.
"You just never know with these things, you just got to wait until they're truly ready," Boyd said. "We're just being patient and it's hard to be patient with someone like her. She's such an impact on our team."
Farquharson's impact on the team is tremendous. She has five goals and three assists in just six games this year and her career totals are on par with the best players in school history. Her 39 career goals puts her second on ASU's all-time scoring list.
Farquharson is just as cautious as Boyd about coming back to early.
"I feel good," Farquharson said. "I just don't want to risk anything. We're just going to take it light and see how the rest of the week goes."
In ASU's 2-1 loss to Washington State, ASU was the more aggressive team outshooting the Cougars 24-6. The reason ASU's shot total didn't translate on the scoreboard is because in soccer, quality is better than quantity. ASU misses Farquharson's ability to finish.
"Everybody is missing that ability," Boyd said. "It doesn't matter what team it is in the country, she's special. Any time she steps on the field for a team she's going to change them."
Unable to play, Farquharson has stepped up and is leading the team from the sidelines. She said she's one of the loudest people on the sidelines.
"It's a different role for me but I'm going to be the best in that role or any position that I'm in," Farquharson said. "All I've got to do is keep encouraging people."
During practice, Farquharson is working hard on her treatment but warming up her leg in order to get back on the field.
ASU will take on two ranked opponents this weekend, both of whom are in the Pac-12.
The Sun Devils will first host No. 5 Stanford on Friday at 7 p.m. and conclude the weekend with a game against No. 23 California Sunday at 1 p.m. in Tempe.
Related Links:
ASU soccer drops conference opener to No. 22 Washington State
ASU soccer begins Pac-12 gauntlet with matinee against Washington State
Reach the reporter at Lucas.Taglienti@asu.edu or follow @ltaglientivevo on Twitter
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