Lacrosse Earns Highest Seed Ever at Pac-12 Tournament

SAN FRANCISCO - The Pac-12 Conference revealed the bracket for the 2022 Pac-12 Tournament and No. 23 Arizona State earned their highest seed in program history.

Sun Devil Lacrosse (9-7, 7-3) will be the No. 3 seed for the first time, opening up postseason play against sixth-seeded California on Wednesday, May 4 at 7 PM MST. To cap a season in which the program set new records for conference wins (7) and conference win percentage (70%), Arizona State gets the opportunity to host the Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament. Come out to Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium May 4-7 to provide a home field advantage for the Maroon & Gold. Tickets for the 2022 Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament are now available for purchase at the following link.

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. A six-team bracket was released by the Pac-12 Conference, with two first round matchups taking place on Wednesday, May 4. First up, No. 4 seed Colorado will take on No. 5 seed Oregon at 4:30 PM MST. No. 3 seed Arizona State will start their postseason run in the nightcap, taking on No. 6 seed California at 7 PM MST. No. 1 seed Stanford and No. 2 seed USC get a bye into the semifinals and they will await the winners of the two first round games. Friday is an off day, meaning the Pac-12 Tournament Championships with an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament on the line on Saturday, May 7 at 12 PM MST. Here is a look at the bracket:

TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for the 2022 Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament are now available for purchase at the following link. Tickets purchased on Wednesday's quarterfinal and Thursday's semifinal action will be good for both games during that session. Both general admission and reserved seating options will be sold. Group prices are available throughout the event, with more information found here or by calling the Sun Devil Ticket Office at (480) 965-5812. Arizona State University's clear bag policy will be in effect, and is available here.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, May 4 - Quarterfinals
Game 1 (4:30 PM MST) - No. 4 Colorado vs. No. 5 Oregon
Game 2 (7:00 PM MST) - No. 3 Arizona State vs. No. 6 California

Thursday, May 5 - Semifinals
Game 3 (4:30 PM MST) - No. 1 Stanford vs. Winner of Game 1
Game 4 (7:00 PM MST) - No. 2 USC vs. Winner of Game 2

Saturday, May 7 - Championship
Game 5 (12 PM MST) - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4

SUN DEVILS IN THE RANKINGS
Arizona State is currently ranked in the Top-25 in one of two major national polls, the fourth straight week they have been ranked. This is the first instance in which ASU stayed in four consecutive Top-25's and most times in a season they have been ranked. Inside Lacrosse/IWCLA slot the Sun Devils at No. 23 in their latest polls, matching the highest spot ever occupied by the program. ASU is also receiving votes and on the cusp of cracking the most recent U.S. Lacrosse Magazine Top-20. 

Head Coach Tim McCormack has challenged his team with an extremely difficult schedule and it has paid off, as the Sun Devils are looked upon favorably in two key metrics. Arizona State has the No. 10-rated strength of schedule having played nine Top-25 teams through 16 games. Because of their success in those game, Arizona State has a RPI of 26, which has climbed dramatically over the past few weeks.

CONFERENCE CONTENDERS
With the win over Stanford back on April 8th, Arizona State has now beaten every other Pac-12 program. They picked up at least one victory over every Pac-12 team this season, sweeping the season series with Colorado, Oregon, and California. The seven conference wins and winning percentage of 70% both represented new program highs. The third place finish in the Pac-12 was also a new best, with ASU claiming the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament for the first time. They look to build off the success at last year's Pac-12 Tournament, where they reached the semifinal round for the first time. 

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 40 games, she has 170 points (120 goals & 50 assists). Adams is up to 44 goals and 25 assists this year and has elevated her game as of late. Over her past five games, she has totaled 32 points. Adams is one of only nine players in the country with at least 44 goals and 25 assists. 

Players with 44+ goals & 25+ assists
Carley Adams, ASU, Goals: 44, Assists: 25
Meaghan Tyrell, Syracuse Goals: 63, Assists: 30
Grace Lipponer, Manhattan Goals: 56, Assists: 30
Aurora Cordingley, Maryland Goals: 54, Assists: 38
Jamie Ortega, North Carolina Goals 53, Assists: 30
Catriona Barry, Duke Goals: 53, Assists: 43
Nicole McNeely, Siena Goals: 45, Assists: 38
Livy Rosenzweig, Loyola Maryland Goals: 52, Assists: 27
Emma Lopinto, Florida Goals: 46, Assists: 27

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 40+ goals & 30+ assists
Emily Glagolev (Arizona State): 33 Assists and 40 Goals
Jamie Ortega (North Carolina): 30 Assists and 53 Goals
Grace Lipponer (Manhattan): 30 Assists and 56 Goals
Catriona Berry (Duke): 33 Assists and 53 Goals
Aurora Cordingley (Maryland): 38 Assists and 54 Goals
Nicole McNeely (Siena): 38 Assists and 45 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. Vahle made a career-high 14 stops against USC and now has double digit saves in five games this season. She is currently fourth 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 
1. Elise Plamer (William & Mary) 157 saves
2. Anya Waller (Howard) 144 saves
3. Amelia Carlile (Longwood) 131 saves
4. Katie Vahle (Arizona Sate) 130 saves
5. Brynn Knight (East Carolina) 119 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 16 games of her Arizona State career, Pinzone already has 37 goals and 12 assists (49 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 51 points (41 goals and 10 assists). In her prior two seasons with the Ducks, she finished with 12 points (nine goals and 3 assists). 

HOW TO FOLLOW
Every game of the 2022 Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament be featured live on Pac-12 Networks and the Pac-12 Now App. More information can be found at the tournament central page. 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.