SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Sun Devil Lacrosse team opened the 2019 season with a 14-7 victory over Kennesaw State last Friday at Sun Devil Lacrosse/Soccer Stadium. On Monday, the Pac-12 Conference announced the recipients of the Conference Player of the Week honors after the first week of play. Sun Devil midfielder Kaylon Buckner made her collegiate debut a memorable one, as she was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.
The St. Louis native impacted the game in several ways, helping Arizona State to a win over the Owls for the second consecutive season. Buckner was all over the field, finishing the contest with six caused turnovers, earning five draw controls and in addition to securing a ground ball. She may have won Defensive Player of the Week honors, but the freshman also served as a key part of the Sun Devil attack. She recorded four points (two goals & two assist), including tallying the game-winning goal in the second half.
This was the first time in program history that a Sun Devil was selected as Pac-12 Player of the Week. The award comes almost a year removed to the date from Kerri Clayton taking home the program's first Player of the Week recognition. On February 14th of 2018, Inside Lacrosse tabbed Clayton as their Alpha Player of the Week. The honor came after Clayton led the Sun Devils to two victories on opening weekend, scoring 12 goals and totaling 14 points on the weekend.
The St. Louis native impacted the game in several ways, helping Arizona State to a win over the Owls for the second consecutive season. Buckner was all over the field, finishing the contest with six caused turnovers, earning five draw controls and in addition to securing a ground ball. She may have won Defensive Player of the Week honors, but the freshman also served as a key part of the Sun Devil attack. She recorded four points (two goals & two assist), including tallying the game-winning goal in the second half.
A second half adjustment made by Coach Martinez Connor to move Buckner to the draw circle paid off in a big way. The Sun Devils went on to outscore the Owls, 7-1, after the move was made. The offense got into a rhythm as the Sun Devils executed an aggressive style of offense reliant upon success in the draw circle. "Kaylon Buckner hit her stride in the second half when we moved her to the draw," Coach Martinez Connor mentioned after the game on Friday. "She just felt a little more confident and pushing the ball in our fast break. I think that was a great move for us to do."Congrats to the first #Pac12LAX Players of the Week for the 2019 season. Offensive POW @OregonWLAX senior Shannon Williams tallied seven points in the Ducks' season opener and Defensive POW @SunDevilWLax's Kaylon Buckner scored a pair of goals. More: https://t.co/Mm9zq8Rq55 pic.twitter.com/Vw2NsXIkYg
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) February 11, 2019
This was the first time in program history that a Sun Devil was selected as Pac-12 Player of the Week. The award comes almost a year removed to the date from Kerri Clayton taking home the program's first Player of the Week recognition. On February 14th of 2018, Inside Lacrosse tabbed Clayton as their Alpha Player of the Week. The honor came after Clayton led the Sun Devils to two victories on opening weekend, scoring 12 goals and totaling 14 points on the weekend.
The Sun Devils return to action after a weekend off, facing off with Columbia on Friday, February 22nd at 6 p.m. at Sun Devil Lacrosse/Soccer Stadium. There will be plenty of opportunities to see Sun Devil Lacrosse in action throughout the season. If you can't make it out to a game at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium, or miss one of our four games on Pac-12 Network, you can still keep up to date with the latest information and updates along all season by following our Instagram/Twitter (@SunDevilWLax) as well as liking our Facebook. Visit TheSunDevils.com for additional information on Sun Devil Lacrosse.In @SunDevilWLax's first-ever weekend of DI action, Kerri Clayton was voted the @AlphaLacrosse national Player of the Week. Link: https://t.co/s2hGbGRVwm pic.twitter.com/kp5tIhRz71
— ILWomen (@ILWomen) February 14, 2018