After a crucial draw at Utah on Sunday, the ASU women's soccer (4-10-3, 1-6-2 Pac-12) team fell to Washington State University (9-6-2, 4-5-0 Pac-12) on Thursday night in Tempe, 1-0.
WSU freshman forward Elyse Bennett's lone goal was enough to give the Cougars the edge.
The Sun Devils extended its winless streak to eight games and their streak of games without a goal in open play to four games. Their last goal in open play came against USC on Oct. 8.
WSU dominated the match from start to finish as they out shot ASU 25-9, and forced ASU freshman keeper Nikki Panas into 11 saves.
For the first 60 minutes, ASU did a majority of the defending as the Cougars started to impose their sustained possession.
ASU head coach Graham Winkworth explained that he expected to be out possessed, as the game plan was to absorb the pressure and look to counter.
"We set up in defensive set up and we knew were going to be outshot considerably, " Winkworth said. "They (Washington State strikers) were so fast and athletic up top, we couldn't allow them the space in behind."
The defensive game plan for ASU only lasted until the 63rd minute of play, when Bennett scored her second goal of the season off a pin point cross. Bennett's snapping header was redirected to the top corner past the outstretched arm of Panas.
"I saw the ball go into the net, that's the end of it ... it's hard to tell from my angle," Panas said about the lone goal.
Senior forward Jazmarie Mader explained how emotional this match was, considering there is only one more home game to be played in her ASU career.
"Its weird to think about it all being over ... I just love this team," Mader said.
She added that despite this emotional loss, she is excited for her final home match and senior day this Sunday.
"I am really excited to go into Sunday with this team and this mentality because we fight every single day," Mader said.
ASU women's soccer will take on the University of Washington on Sunday, Oct. 29 for its final home match of the year. There will be a ceremony prior to the start of Sunday's match to honor the eight seniors.
Reach the reporter at jaramo12@asu.edu or follow @hor_hay10 on Twitter.
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