Vahle, Adams Sweep Pac-12 Player of the Week Again
SAN FRANCISCO – Sun Devil Lacrosse has swept the Pac-12 Player of the Week awards for the second consecutive week, the conference announced on Monday.
Katie Vahle was selected as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for the fourth time this year, while Carley Adams earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors for the fourth time in her career. Arizona State has now had 19 individuals receive the top weekly conference honor in Head Coach Tim McCormack's three seasons, after previously only winning an award three times in the two prior seasons. This is the sixth time and second consecutive week the program has swept Pac-12 Player of the Week, all of which have come under Coach McCormack.
The program carries over the momentum from last season, where they were the most decorated team when it came to weekly honors. Of the possible 20 recipients of a Pac-12 Player of the Week award in 2021, ten were Sun Devils. In 2022, a Sun Devil has already earned the distinction six times. This comes in addition to the National Player of the Week honor given to Taylor Pinzone by Inside Lacrosse and Carley Adams by U.S. Lacrosse Magazine earlier in the year.
Carley Adams – Offensive Player of the Week
Carley Adams continues her tear, putting together another epic season in a Sun Devil uniform. The reigning National Player of the Week somehow one-upped her performance from last week. She finished the weekend with 15 points, scoring nine goals and dishing out six assists while leading the Sun Devils to a 2-0 record. She now has reached the 40-goal mark for the second straight season and already a career-best 24 assists.
In the overtime victory over Oregon on Friday, Adams did what she does best, taking over the game and carrying her team to a win. All the attention will be paid to her clutch game-winning goal in overtime, but it was several crucial plays she made in the second half that allowed Arizona State to force overtime. She recorded seven points (four goals and three assists) while also collecting two ground balls and causing a turnover in ASU's fifth-straight win over Oregon.
Adams delivered an encore worthy of Player of the Week honors, helping her team win in Boulder for the first time ever. She was absolutely dominant in the 16-8 victory over the Buffaloes, finishing with eight points (five goals and three assists). The eight-point day is her second straight performance with at least 7 points and eighth of her career. Over her last five games, the reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week has compiled 31 points.
"Carley Adams has been having a lot of fun and playing free," Coach McCormack remarked. "She truly loves the game and is enjoying every opportunity she gets to play with her teammates."
Katie Vahle – Defensive Player of the Week
The reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week Katie Vahle delivered yet again as the Sun Devils went 2-0 on the weekend. She becomes the first Sun Devil to win Pac-12 Player of the Week four times in one season. During her team's five-game winning streak, Vahle has been spectacular, establishing herself as one of the best freshman goalkeepers in the nation. On the weekend, she finished with a 7.95 GAA while making 15 saves at a 48% clip.
In Arizona State's 11-10 overtime victory over Oregon on Friday, she played all 65:31, holding Oregon to only ten goals. She played her best with the game in the balance, making two important stops, one in the fourth quarter and one in overtime to prevent the Ducks from taking the lead. Vahle also finished the game with four ground balls, making plays outside of the crease serving as an extra defender.
In Sunday's 16-8 victory over Colorado, Vahle might have put together the best performance of her young career. At a place where no Sun Devil goalkeeper had ever won, Vahle did so in her first try, as she proved to be the best player on the field. Vahle made 11 saves and allowed only six goals, helping Arizona State defeat Colorado for the first time on the road. It was her fourth double-digit save performance of the year, the previous three of which she was awarded Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors afterwards.
Against a potent Buffaloes offense, Vahle and the defensive unit executed to perfection, allowing the Sun Devils to build and maintain a comfortable lead. Colorado's two leading scorers, attackers Charlie Rudy and Sadie Grozier, came into the game with a combined 80 points in 13 games. The duo only managed a total of two points (one assists each) against Vahle and the stingy Sun Devil defense. Vahle has now won five consecutive games, matching the longest streak by a Sun Devil goalkeeper.
"Katie Vahle has been seeing the ball," Coach McCormack observed. "She has great trust from her teammates to be the backbone and comes up huge when we need her most."
PEER REVIEW
Freshman defender Berit Brookfield knows exactly what type of challenge it is to defend Carley Adams. Here her perspective on what makes the Sun Devil attacker special.
On competing against Adams every day in practice
"Going up against Carley has been extremely helpful for my personal development, as well as the development of our defense as a whole. Obviously, she's an incredible player, and she prepares us everyday for the opponents we'll face. Individually, playing against Carley has helped me improve my defense drastically. In practice, she's constantly cutting, or dodging which has helped improve my skills overall."
On the type of leadership Adams provides
"Carley has been a great role model and captain both on and off the field. Not only has she been extremely welcoming, but she's a great motivator and leader as well. She leads through her actions and her work ethic, which is super impressive. I'm very lucky to have Carley as a mentor, especially during tough games because of the energy and positivity she brings."
On the confidence gained by a defense when you have an attacker like Carley Adams
"As a defender, it's a great confidence booster to know that once we stop the ball on our end, the offense can, and will produce goals on their end. Having trust in your teammates is what helps to create a great team. I have full trust in Carley, and I think that's a pivotal part to winning."
Freshman attacker Anna Thornton knows exactly what teams go through when trying to score on Katie Vahle. The two came to ASU from Long Island, where they two of the most high-profile recruits to take a chance on ASU. Here her perspective on what her close friend and teammate is doing in the Maroon & Gold.
On Vahle's seamless transition to the college game
"It's honestly no surprise to see Katie doing as well as she is at this level. I've known Katie for a long time and since we've been at ASU she has had such an amazing amount of confidence and I think that allows her to play as great as she has been all season."
On facing a great group of goalkeepers in practice
"As an attacker it's awesome to get to play against the goalies we have here. Knowing Katie is one of the best goalies in the nation makes practicing and getting shooting reps against her one of the best ways for me to get better."
On the growing connection between Sun Devil Lacrosse and Long Island
"I love the Long Island connection on this team, makes me feel at home while I'm across the country. I've known Katie since we were in middle school and just that makes it even more exciting to see her doing so great at this level."
SUN DEVILS TO WIN PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK (22)
Carley Adams (4/11/22) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Katie Vahle (4/11/22) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Carley Adams (4/11/22) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Katie Vahle (4/11/22) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Katie Vahle (3/14/22) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Katie Vahle (3/1/22) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Kerri Clayton (4/26/21) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Olivia Hood (4/19/21) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Emily Glagolev (3/29/21) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Kerri Clayton (3/23/21) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Berkeley Bonneau (3/23/21) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Kerri Clayton (3/15/21) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Berkeley Bonneau (3/15/21) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Carley Adams (3/8/21) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Berkeley Bonneau (2/23/21) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Carley Adams (2/23/21) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Kerri Clayton (3/2/20) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Berkeley Bonneau (3/2/20) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
Emily Glagolev (2/17/20) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Emily Glagolev (4/22/19) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Kerri Clayton (4/8/19) – Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
Kaylon Buckner (2/12/19) – Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
2022 PAC-12 LACROSSE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offensive Player of the Week Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 16 Ashley Humphrey, Stanford Kait Devir, USC
Feb. 22 Shelby Tilton, USC Kait Devir, USC
Mar. 1 Sadie Grozier, Colorado Katie Vahle, Arizona State
Mar. 8 Chloe Willard, Colorado Devon Bayer, Colorado
Mar. 14 Kelsey Huff, USC Katie Vahle, Arizona State
Mar. 22 Ashley Humphrey, Stanford Kara Rahaim, Stanford
Mar. 28 Sadie Grozier, Colorado Grace Donnelley, Colorado
Apr. 4 Ali Baiocco, Stanford Kara Rahaim, Stanford
Apr. 11 Carley Adams, Arizona State Katie Vahle, Arizona State
Apr. 18 Carley Adams, Arizona State Katie Vahle, Arizona State
THE EVOLUTION OF CARLEY ADAMS
The development of Carley Adams continues to be fun to track, as her career completely changed after the arrival of Coach McCormack and his staff. Through her first two seasons, Adams played in 33 games and had 15 points (13 goals & 2 assists). Over her past 39 games, she has 165 points (116 goals & 49 assists).
UP NEXT
Arizona State returns to Tempe for the regular season finale, one that will be filled with emotions. The Sun Devils will not only take on No. 17 USC with a shot at a share of the Pac-12 Regular Season Championship and a first round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament, they will also be honoring a legendary senior class. 16 seniors will be honored in a ceremony following the 3 PM MST game with the Trojans. More information on Senior Day festivities will be available this week. The game will be broadcasted on the ASU Live Stream, with live stats available here.
PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP COMING TO TEMPE
Arizona State earned the chance to host the 2022 Pac-12 Lacrosse Championships, running May 4-7 in Tempe. Two first round matchups will take place on Wednesday, May 4 with the two semifinal showdowns following on Thursday, May 5. The Pac-12 Championship comes after an off day, hosted at Sun Devil Lacrosse/Soccer Stadium on Saturday, May 7. This is a way for the Sun Devils to control their own fate, as a win at the Pac-12 Lacrosse Championships means an automatic berth into the 2022 NCAA Lacrosse Tournament. Tickets will be going on sale soon and eventually available for purchase at the following link.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates, follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWLax). Like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sundevilwlax/) for content on the team throughout the season. Visit our website, TheSunDevils.com, for the latest updates and information on the program.