Senior Class to be Honored, Pac-12 Lacrosse Title on the Line
TEMPE, Ariz - Sun Devil Lacrosse hosts one of the most important games in program history, when No. 17 USC comes to town for a matchup on Friday at 3 PM MST.
Not only is at least a share of the Pac-12 Regular Season Championship on the line, Arizona State will honor a decorated 16 member senior class in a post game ceremony. Don't miss out on one of your last chances to check out the 2022 Sun Devil Lacrosse team at home. Under Head Coach Tim McCormack, Arizona State is 14-4 overall and has outscored opponents 292-189 at home.
No. 23 Arizona State takes on yet another ranked team at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium, matching up with the No. 17-ranked USC on Friday, Apr. 22 at 3 PM MST. The game against the Trojans will be broadcasted via the ASU Live Stream, with live stats also available.
CONFERENCE CONTENDERS
The top of the Pac-12 Conference standings are crowded, but the Sun Devils have played themselves into a prime position. Three teams are currently tied a top the conference with a 7-2 record, with Arizona State locked in a battle for first place with Stanford and USC. The Sun Devils and Trojans will match up at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium this Friday, Apr. 22 at 3 PM in a contest that will have a major impact on tournament seeding. If Arizona State wins, they would claim at least a share of the regular season Pac-12 Title for the first time in program history. It will also clinch a bye in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament, automatically sending ASU to the semifinals. The Maroon & Gold can finish lower than the No. 3 seed regardless of what happens in the season finale, which is their highest conference finish ever.
SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION
Following the conclusion of the game, a 16 member senior class will be honored on the field. Carley Adams, Emily Glagolev, Maddy Hunter, Lia Willis, Kylie Kroeger, Maria Villanti, Mallory Martel, Sydney Payne, Paige McGlothlin, Taylor Pinzone, Emily Munro, Morgan McCaffrey, Olivia Hood, Olivia Kroah, Emma Carlson, and Mackenzie Hovsepian have each had a significant impact on the program. They have ushered in a new era of Sun Devil Lacrosse, taking the program to new heights. Over the past four years, this group's dedication and commitment has been the reason why ASU has established itself on the national map. If you attend Friday's game, plan to stay after the game to give this legendary senior class a proper sendoff.
KNOW YOUR FOES - USC
The Trojans represent the ninth ranked opponent ASU has played this season, the most in program history. USC came in at No. 17 in the latest Inside Lacrosse/IWLCA Poll, presenting another challenge for the battled-test Sun Devils. They have two of the best road wins by any team, defeating No. 18 Jacksonville and No. 11 Michigan away from homoe earlier in the year. The Trojans are 6-1 on the road and are used to tough road environments, like the one they will face at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium.
USC defeated Arizona State in the first matchup of the season, a contest held in the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans are led by attacker Isabelle Vitale and midfielder Kelsey Huff, who each have 45+ points. Attacker Claudia Shevitz, midfielder Katie Ramsay, and midfielder Catherine Lord each have 45+ draw controls as part of the draw unit. Defender Olivia Dooley has a conference-best 26 caused turnovers. Goalkeeper Kait Devir has started all 14 games and boasts a 11-3 record, making 90 saves at a 38% clip.
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).
GLAGOLEV IN ELITE COMPANY
Senior Emily Glagolev has proven to be one of the best all-around attackers in the nation, showing off her ability to both pass and score. Glagolev is one of only four players in the nation to have 30+ goals and 30+ assists. Here is the exclusive list she is a part of:
Players with 30+ goals & 30+ assists
Emily Glagolev (Arizona State): 31 Assists and 35 Goals
Catriona Berry (Duke): 33 Assists and 52 Goals
Aurora Cordingley (Maryland): 36 Assists and 54 Goals
Nicole McNeely (Siena): 36 Assists and 41 Goals
SHE IS ONLY A FRESHMAN?
Katie Vahle has emerged as one of the best first-year goalkeepers in the country. At a position that is extremely difficult to make the adjustment to the college level, Vahle has enjoyed a seamless transition. She is currently third in the country in saves by a freshman, the only Power 5 conference player in the Top-5. Here is a look at the top newcomer net minders:
Most saves by a freshman goalkeeper
- Elise Plamer (William & Mary)147 saves
- Anya Waller (Howard)139 saves
- Katie Vahle (Arizona Sate)116 saves
- Amelia Carlile (Longwood) 112 saves
- Gisele Todd (Dartmouth) 102 saves
TRANSFER TAKEOVER
Attackers Taylor Pinzone and Emily Munro have benefited greatly from the decision to transfer to Arizona State. Northwestern graduate transfer Taylor Pinzone has enjoyed a breakout season in a Sun Devil uniform. Through 15 games of her Arizona State career, Pinzone already has 35 goals and 10 assists (45 points). In 50 games with the Wildcats, she had 34 goals and six assists (40 points). In a similar manner, Emily Munro has taken her game to another level since transferring from Oregon. Through two seasons at Arizona State, Munro has registered 50 points (40 goals and 10 assists). In her prior two seasons with the Ducks, she finished with 12 points (nine goals and 3 assists).
LAST TIME OUT
Sun Devil Lacrosse pulled out another dramatic victory, defeating Oregon 11-10 in overtime at Pape Field. The Maroon & Gold have Carley Adams largely to thank for the win, as she took over the game. The attacker finished with seven points, scoring four goals while dishing out three assists. She came through when her team needed her time and time again, but there was no bigger moment than with only 29 seconds left in the first overtime.
Arizona State set out to make a statement, and they did just that in their 16-8 victory over Colorado. They had never won in Boulder, but that changed in a big way today, as Head Coach Tim McCormack's team put together a complete and focused effort.
The Sun Devils jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back, utilizing a balanced attack and aggressive defense to overwhelm the Buffaloes from the opening whistle. ASU took the home crowd out of the game as Colorado never got back within four goals, with the Maroon & Gold eventually establishing a running clock thanks to a double-digit lead.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sun Devil Lacrosse swept the Pac-12 Player of the Week awards for the second consecutive week. 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. 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.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Freshman defender Berit Brookfield knows exactly what type of challenge it is to defend Carley Adams. Here her perspective on how beneficial it has been to go up against the Sun Devil attacker 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."
Freshman attacker Anna Thornton knows exactly what teams go through when trying to score on Katie Vahle. Here her perspective on what her close friend and teammate is doing in the Maroon & Gold.
"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."
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.
HOW TO FOLLOW
The game against the Trojans will be broadcasted via the ASU Live Stream, with live stats also available. For in-game updates, follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWLax). Like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sundevilwlax/) for content throughout the season. Visit our website, TheSunDevils.com, for the latest updates and information on the program.