Both matches will be streamed live on ASU's Live Stream platform with students from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication on the call.
MONITOR THE MATCH
UCLA -- Watch | Stats
USC -- Watch | Stats
QUICK KICKS...
• This past weekend, the Sun Devils hit the road for the first time since beginning Pac-12 play. ASU started the weekend trip with a 1-1 draw at No. 11 California, before falling to No. 2 Stanford Sunday afternoon.
• In order to be the best, you have got to play the best, and Arizona State has done just that. Entering the weekend, Arizona States' 2017 opponents have combined to post an impressive .646 win percentage, a mark that ranks eighth in the nation.
• Academic success has become a staple in the Sun Devil soccer culture. Since 2007 the Sun Devil soccer program leads the conference in the number of first-team awards (26) and the number of first- and second-team awards (42).
• Arizona State has proven this season they are willing to go the extra mile. In five of their 11 matches played this season, the Sun Devils have found themselves playing in extra time, including two games going a full 110 minutes. In total, the Sun Devils have played 62-minuets of overtime soccer in 2017, over a full extra half of game time on the year already.
• Freshman keeper Nikki Panas has emerged as a difference maker in goal for the Sun Devils this season. Panas has combined for two clean sheets in her ten games played for ASU. The Edmonton, Alberta, native has combined for 47 saves, including a season-high nine saves against Oregon State. If the season ended today, Panas' .758 goals against average would check in at 3rd all-time for a single season.
• The Sun Devils enter the weekend slate in the midst of a four-match streak of teams ranked in the top-15. Last week, ASU faced stiff competition in the form of 11th ranked Cal and second-ranked Stanford. The team will again be tested this week with matches against unanimous No. 1 UCLA and sixth-ranked USC.
PAC-12 REMAINS CLASS OF COLLEGIATE SOCCER...
No. 1 UCLA (10-0-1, 3-0-0) and No. 2 Stanford (10-1-0, 3-0-0) sit atop the Pac-12 table and claim the top two spots in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the fifth consecutive week. The Bruins remain one of only three teams in the NCAA Division I without a loss this season (Texas, Milwaukee). The Pac-12 has the most representatives on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List with seven student-athletes, the most from the Conference since seven in 2010. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer, presented annually to one male and one female athlete.
WHO'S THE NEW GIRL...
Through eight games of the 2017 season 23 different players have logged minutes for the Sun Devils. Of those 23 players, 10 are new to the roster in 2017, including Angela Boyle, Nikki Panas, Jemma Purfield and Olive Jones who are among the team leaders in minutes played this season. Of the 14 goals scored this season, seven have come from players who are new to the ASU roster in 2017.
IRON SHARPENS IRON...
The Sun Devils have accepted a huge challenge in the 2017 season. Entering the third week of conference play, the Sun Devils' have already played four teams that are either ranked, or receiving votes in the national polls. The cumulative win percentage for all of ASU's 2017 is an impressive .646 win percentage, a mark that ranks No. 8 in the nation. The downhill run towards the end of the regular season will not get any easier as the remaining opponents boast a .693 win percentage entering the weekend.
NIK-KEY ON DEFENSE...
Freshman keeper Nikki Panas has emerged as a difference maker in goal for the Sun Devils this season. Panas has combined for two clean sheets in her ten games played for ASU. The Edmonton, Alberta, native has combined for 47 saves, including a season-high nine saves against Oregon State. If the season ended today, Panas' .758 goals against average would check in at 3rd all-time for a single season.
PURFIELD TABBED TO MAC HERMANN WATCH LIST...
Junior Jemma Purfield has been tabbed as one of 30 NCAA Division I players named to the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch Lists, announced by the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA) and the Missouri Athletic Club during the preseason. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer and is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. This year's winners will be announced Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. Purfield, a Beverly, England, native, played the last two seasons under head coach Graham Winkworth at South Alabama where she led the Jaguars in goals (11) during the 2016 season en route to being named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, as well as overall Player of the Year honors.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE A WAY OF LIFE FOR SUN DEVIL SOCCER...
Thirteen Arizona State University women's soccer student-athletes were recognized by the Pac-12 for their work in the classroom as the conference announced its annual All-Academic teams following the 2016 season. Headlining ASU's 13 honorees was senior defender Madison Stark (4.00 GPA – Journalism and Mass Communication), who earned first-team recognition for the second consecutive season. Junior forward Jessica Raybe (3.86 – Exercise and Wellness) and sophomore forward Natalie Stephens (3.89 GPA – Supply Chain Management) earned second-team recognition. It was the second straight season that Raybe has earned second-team honors. Since 2007 the Sun Devil soccer program leads the conference in the number of first-team awards (26) and the number of first- and second-team awards (42).
CLEAR BAG POLICY AT SUN DEVIL ATHLETIC EVENTS...
In order to enhance public safety, Sun Devil Athletics will now enforce their Clear Bag Policy at all ticketed events hosted at SDA facilities. Fans may bring in one (1) clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a 1-gallon plastic storage bag. Fans are limited to one clear bag per person, along with a small clutch or purse for privacy. Please refer to the pictures above for non-approved bags.
Sun Devil Athletics adopted the Clear Bag policy to improve public safety at our venues and provide a great game day experience by making access at all facilities more efficient. This proactive measure will enhance security inside and outside of the athletics venues and speed up the security screening process for all fans.