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The Arizona State Sun Devils (4-10-3, 1-6-2 Pac-12) fell to the Washington State Cougars (9-6-2, 4-5) by a final score of 1-0 Thursday night at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe.
The Sun Devils started the game with strong defense when Kylie Miniefield made two saves with her head on the goal line that beat goalkeeper Nikki Panas in the 8th minute.
Stout defense from both sides left this game in a 0-0 stalemate at the half.
In the 57th minute, Jazmarie Mader received a ball in the box from a free kick and put a strong shot on net for the Sun Devils’ best opportunity of the night. Ultimately, the Washington State goalkeeper tipped the ball just over the bar for a corner.
For the most part, ASU were able to keep the Cougars outside the box and not give them a significant chance on goal.
The only blemish all night for Arizona State was when they got beat out wide, as Morgan Weaver crossed the ball into the box to find Elyse Bennett, who beat Panas with her head in the 63rd minute to give Washington State the 1-0 lead. This goal would prove to be just enough to give the Cougars the victory.
Despite the goal allowed, Panas was lights out for the Sun Devils as she made nine saves in the first half alone and 11 total for the night. The net minder also made team history with her 76th save of the season, which is good enough for the seventh most saves in a season in team history.
Panas will look to add more to her resume this season when the Sun Devils take on the Washington Huskies on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium for the final home game of the season.