PROVO, Utah – Sun Devil Soccer opened Big 12 play with a 1-0 loss at BYU on Thursday night at South Field. The game was the first Big 12 conference game for any Arizona State team in school history.
ASU (5-1-2, 0-1-0 Big 12) had the first two shots of the game and held possession over the first 15 minutes. That stretch was capped with a chance from Cameron Valladares, that was blocked in the penalty area to deny the goal.
BYU (3-3-2, 1-0-0 Big 12) controlled the final 30 minutes of the half with 12 shots and three corner kicks. The Cougars broke through in the 43rd minute as Avery Frischknecht redirected a corner kick from Sierra Pennock into the goal.
Keri Matthews recorded the first shot on goal for the Sun Devils in the 49th minute. Still looking for the equalizer, ASU began to apply more pressure in the 70th minute when Valladares had a shot tipped off the post. That led to three straight corners from the Sun Devils, and a chance from Olivia Coleman blocked off the line.
Pauline Nelles made a season-high eight saves to keep ASU in the game. She pushed two BYU shots over the crossbar in the first half and came up with another two strong stops in the final 45 minutes.
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