clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

#SunDevilMoments round of 16: No. 6 Zane Gonzalez's game-winning FG vs. No. 11 Breanna Macha no-hitter

Which moment was better? Zane Gonzalez's last-second field goal that knocked off Utah, or Breanna Macha's no-hitter? Vote below.

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The seeds have all been introduced, and now it is time for the bracket to begin. Over the next 15 days, you the readers will vote on your favorite moment until we have a #SunDevilMoments series champion. The next matchup of the round of 16 features another close faceoff.

Seed No. 6: Zane Gonzalez's OT field goal lifts ASU over Utah in Homecoming game

Typically, homecoming heroes are recognized as being quarterbacks or other position players that throw, carry or catch the ball in the end zone for six points. In 2014, Arizona State's homecoming hero ended up being the player who kicked the ball through the uprights -- then-sophomore kicker Zane Gonzalez.

The Deer Park, Texas, native tallied 13 of the Sun Devils' 19 points on the night, propelling ASU to a 19-16 overtime win over the No. 17 Utah Utes. He nailed four of five field goals during the game, including the 36-yard game-winner in overtime.

Gonzalez, who entered the game having converted 10 of 12 attempts, outperformed Utes kicker Andy Phillips, who entered having made 87 percent of his attempts coming in.

In quarterback Taylor Kelly's second game back under center, the Sun Devils offense sputtered on multiple drives, but were unable to punch the ball into the end zone, calling on Gonzalez for kicks from 20, 45 and 50 yards (his only miss of the night).

A surge to open the third would give the Utes the advantage in the third quarter before Gonzalez field goal from 30 yards notched the game at 16 a piece.

In the overtime frame, the offenses continued to struggle moving the ball. Utah had first possession, but had to settle for a field goal. Despite having already hit from 50, 36 and 44 yards, Phillips missed twice from 35 yards out; once before a timeout to try and freeze him, then on the ensuing attempt that counted.

This gave Gonzalez the chance to win the game for ASU, and he would do so, knocking down a 36-yard attempt to extend the Sun Devils' winning-streak to four games.

The win placed ASU back in control of its destiny in the Pac-12 South again, and propelled the team into the top ten of the Associated Press poll entering their match up with No. 10 Notre Dame.

The Sun Devils close shave over the Utes was one of the most dramatic moments of the ASU athletics year.

- Kaelen Jones

Seed No. 11: Arizona State softball freshman pitcher Breanna Macha throws no-hitter

Feb. 27, 2015 was quite a birthday for Breanna Macha.

Arizona State softball's true freshman starting pitcher threw a total of 123 pitches. Her Sun Devil team needed an extra inning to beat Binghamton 1-0 at the Louisville Slugger Invitational.

And, oh yeah, she threw her first career no-hitter.

Macha's performance was unique, as it was the school's first no-hitter in a game that went extra innings. It was the 28th no-hitter in ASU softball history and was the first freshman since Hilary Bach in 2009 to do so.

Despite giving up six walks, Macha recorded seven strikeouts in eight innings, and sent down Binghamton in order in six of the eight inning she worked.

The win improved Macha's overall record at the time to 6-3.

Macha's performance gave the Sun Devils quite a bit of momentum through the Louisville Slugger Invitational, as they won their next two games before falling to Michigan in their final game of the tournament.

- Josh Nacion