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Lacrosse Defeats Colorado For First Time

Mar 28, 2021

TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Lacrosse picked up their fifth straight victory, defeating Colorado 16-11 at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
 
The wins continue to pile up for Arizona State (7-2, 4-1), who is off to the school's first 4-1 start in Pac-12 play. Riding a program-best four game winning streak, the Sun Devils imposed their will from the start, as Kerri Clayton scored just 19 seconds into the game. Behind the strength of a 10-5 second half, Coach McCormack and the coaching staff made the necessary adjustments to allow the Maroon & Gold to pick up their first-ever victory over Colorado.
 
The Sun Devils earn another Pac-12 Conference home win at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium and move to 5-0 at home in 2021, outscoring opponents by a total score of 98-47. Allowing just one Colorado goal during an epic 22-minute run stretching the first and second half, another lockdown defensive effort helped pave the way for victory. 
 
"The team put together another complete team effort," Coach McCormack observed after the game. "That was a good example of Sun Devil Lacrosse in the second half, but we are excited to get back to work."
 
Emily Glagolev led the way again with another record-setting day She matched her own school-record for single-game helpers, finishing with six assists. Glagolev was setting up the dynamic Sun Devil playmakers, including Kerri Clayton and Carley Adams. Clayton scored a team-high five goals, while Adams added four of her own to pace the offense. Berkeley Bonneau made 11 saves as the backbone of a Sun Devil defense that caused 10 Colorado turnovers and frustrated the visitors during three separate 10-minute scoring droughts.
 
"Our offense and defense have both been outstanding lately," Coach McCormack stated. "It is great to see us be so balanced and have success in both areas."
 
TURNING POINT
Gridlocked in a 6-6 game that was back-and-forth the entire first half, the Sun Devils came out clicking on all cylinders to start the second half. They immediately took the lead and put the Buffaloes on their heels, scoring less than a minute into the half. Three more goals over the next four minutes, all off Maroon & Gold sticks, provided Arizona State all the cushion they would need. Riding a suffocating defensive effort, the Sun Devils outscored Colorado 10-5 in the second half, which proved to be the difference in the game. 
 
NOTABLES

  • Arizona State is on a five-game win streak which is now the longest in program history (previous long was 3), outscoring opponents 94-51 during that span.
  • This represents the Sun Devils first victory over Colorado in Coach McCormack's first matchup with the Pac-12 power, previously being outscored by the Buffaloes 62-15 in four all-time matchups. 
  • Emily Glagolev was brilliant all afternoon, matching her own Arizona State record with six assists. This is the second straight game she has finished with six assists, with her unselfishness on full display all weekend. 
    • Glagolev now three or more assists in 15 career contests.
  • The Sun Devils have scored 16+ goals in 13 of the 17 games under Coach McCormack. Prior to his arrival, the program reached the mark just four times in 36 games.
  • Kerri Clayton went off for five goals for the second time this season and eighth time in her career. 
    • She now has a hat trick in 23 of 52 career games.
  • Carley Adams scored four goals, reaching the mark for the sixth time in nine games this season. 
    • She now has 34 goals in only nine games, already the second-most in single season program history.
  • Berkeley Bonneau enjoyed another double-digit save performance, making 11 stops.
    • She now has 31 career double-digit save efforts on her resume.
  • Katie Brodsky, Emily Munro, and Maria Villanti each added two goals a piece.
  • The Sun Devils pressure defense was outstanding once again, causing 10 turnovers and limiting Colorado to only five second half goals. 
    • During the five game, Arizona State is outscoring opponents 48-24 over the final 30 minutes of the game. 
  • Ten different Sun Devils collected a ground balls, led by Bella Gaspar with five. 
  • Arizona State dominated the draw control 20-9 thanks to a team effort, with six different players earning a draw control. 
    • Maura Cissel was featured in the circle, earning a team-high nine draw controls.

QUOTABLES
 
"We didn't really change too much," referenced Coach McCormack in regards to the second half performance. "We continued to play Sun Devil Lacrosse. The opportunities that we had in the first half just ended up going in the back of the net in the second. I feel like we were able to capitalize a little more in the second half."
 
"We battled in the draw control area," Coach McCormack remarked. "That unit figured it out and had a good all-around effort."
 
"Defensively, we settled in and realized what was happening and were able to make some key adjustments on their own," Coach McCormack mentioned. "They made some big-time stops."
 
"Gigi and Bella have been tremendous," Coach McCormack added. "They have been able to come in and play like upperclassmen. They are great athletes that are able to cover people one-on-one and collect a lot of ground balls for us. They get great pressure on ball carriers and make it hard to execute against us."
 
UP NEXT 
Arizona State makes the return trip to matchup with the same pair of teams next weekened. First up, they head to Eugene for a matchup with Oregon. The 6 pm MST contest will not be live streamed, but live stats will be provided here. On the back end of the road trip, the Sun Devils travel to Boulder for a 12 pm MST showdown with Colorado. The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network Rocky Mountain with more information at the following link.

*Oregon and Colorado Athletics home games are closed to the public due to COVID-19 Safety Protocols.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW
 
Follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWLax) and like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sundevilwlax/). Visit our website, TheSunDevils.com, for the latest updates and information on the program.