Longhorns Battle to a Draw Against Experienced Sun Devils

The Texas Longhorns women’s soccer team secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the experienced Arizona State Sun Devils on Thursday. The match showcased a stark contrast in team profiles, with the Sun Devils fielding a veteran lineup that challenged the younger Longhorn squad.

The action started immediately, as the Sun Devils’ senior-heavy roster wasted no time in making their presence felt. Less than a minute into the match, a chaotic play saw Cameron Valladares’ shot ricochet off a Texas defender and then the post before finding the back of the net, giving Arizona State an early 1-0 lead. The Longhorns appeared unsettled for the remainder of the first half, struggling to find their rhythm against the more seasoned Sun Devils.

But the second half was a different story. Texas head coach Ange Kelly’s team came out with renewed intensity, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 59th minute when sophomore EmJ Cox headed home a perfect cross from freshman Amalia Villarreal, tying the game at 1-1. The goal was especially meaningful for Cox, who was scoring for the first time since October 2022 after missing two full seasons due to injury.

“It’s the most excited I’ve ever been to score,” Cox told reporters after the match. “I felt like it unlocked 2022 EmJ.”

The Longhorns continued to press, outshooting the Sun Devils 14-8 in the second half, but couldn’t find a winning goal. Despite the draw, Coach Kelly praised her team’s resilience. “I loved the fight,” she said. “We just need to continue to grind and get better and better.”