TEMPE, Ariz. – The Sun Devil Lacrosse program returns to action this weekend as they take on Columbia and Stetson. On Friday, February 22nd the Columbia University Lions come to Tempe for a 6 p.m. showdown. The second game of the weekend falls on Sunday, February 24th when the Sun Devils host the Stetson University Hatters at 11:00 a.m. All games on the weekend will take place at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium.
"As a coaching staff, we are looking forward to seeing how the team responds to a two-game weekend," Coach Martinez Connor stated. "It will be a excellent test for our mental focus and ability to recover early in the season."
Arizona State is coming off a 14-7 season-opening victory at home over Kennesaw State. It was the second consecutive season that the Sun Devils knocked off the Owls, picking up their first victory at the Division I level in Kennesaw a season ago. A strong second half led by a balanced offensive attack helped lead the team to victory. Attacker Kerri Clayton picked up where she left off last season, getting the home side off to a hot start thanks to a pair of goals in the opening 50 seconds. Goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau was solid in net for the Sun Devils, keeping the Kennesaw State offense at bay while the Sun Devils settled in.
Freshman Kaylon Buckner had quite the collegiate debut, as the St. Louis native was all over the field. The conference recognized her outstanding performance, as she was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week. Buckner had a team-high six caused turnovers and five draw controls, while tying for the team lead with four points (two goals & two assists). Fellow freshman Paige McGlothlin and Morgan McCaffrey also recorded their first collegiate goals. Kylie Kroeger (two goals) and Julia Burns (two assists) each contributed to the Sun Devils' balanced attack.
"Columbia is a program trending in the right direction and continues to build momentum," Coach Martinez Connor stated. "They have played twice since the last time we did, so we have to be sharp right from the first draw."
On Sunday, February 24th at 11 a.m., the Sun Devils match-up with Stetson in the second game of the weekend. Similar to the history with Columbia, these two teams faced off during the 2018 season. Arizona State got off to a hot start in their second game at the Division I level, taking a 11-3 lead into the half in Deland. The Sun Devils were able to hold off a furious Hatters comeback attempt, keeping their composure down the stretch. Kerri Clayton was the star offensively, scoring five goals while dishing out two assists. For her efforts, Clayton was named the Alpha National Player of the Week on February 14th by Inside Lacrosse.
"The second game of a weekend brings its own challenges," Coach Martinez Connor remarked. "But we are also preparing to face a hungry and determined team on Sunday"
Sun Devil Lacrosse invites members of the Junior Sun Devil club to join us in helping greet the Sun Devils as they come out onto the field by forming a pre-game spirit tunnel before the game against Stetson on Sunday, February 24th. The Sun Devil Lacrosse coaching staff will be hosting a post-game clinic that costs just $25.
Live stats will be available to the media and the public. 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.
"As a coaching staff, we are looking forward to seeing how the team responds to a two-game weekend," Coach Martinez Connor stated. "It will be a excellent test for our mental focus and ability to recover early in the season."
Arizona State is coming off a 14-7 season-opening victory at home over Kennesaw State. It was the second consecutive season that the Sun Devils knocked off the Owls, picking up their first victory at the Division I level in Kennesaw a season ago. A strong second half led by a balanced offensive attack helped lead the team to victory. Attacker Kerri Clayton picked up where she left off last season, getting the home side off to a hot start thanks to a pair of goals in the opening 50 seconds. Goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau was solid in net for the Sun Devils, keeping the Kennesaw State offense at bay while the Sun Devils settled in.
Freshman Kaylon Buckner had quite the collegiate debut, as the St. Louis native was all over the field. The conference recognized her outstanding performance, as she was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week. Buckner had a team-high six caused turnovers and five draw controls, while tying for the team lead with four points (two goals & two assists). Fellow freshman Paige McGlothlin and Morgan McCaffrey also recorded their first collegiate goals. Kylie Kroeger (two goals) and Julia Burns (two assists) each contributed to the Sun Devils' balanced attack.
The first game of the weekend pits Arizona State against Columbia on February 22nd at 6 p.m. The Maroon and Gold earned a closely contested win over the Lions in New York during the 2018 season. Down 10-7 at the end of the first half, the Sun Devils would mount a rally that would see them earn their first victory in program history after trailing at halftime. Finding themselves behind 12-9 with under 23 minutes left, a combination of Taylor Carson, Graci Fulkerson, Kerri Clayton, Julia Burns and Emily Glagolev would take over on the offensive end while goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau shut down the Lions attack. ASU scored six unanswered goals in the final 23 minutes, with the aforementioned six Sun Devils responsible for two points a piece.1?game, 1?Pac-12 Player of the Week Award! Not bad, @kaylon_buckner!
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) February 11, 2019
After causing six turnovers, earning five draw controls, and scoring twice in her collegiate debut, Kaylon Buckner is your Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week pic.twitter.com/CIsrVdgK4f
Columbia is coached by Andrea Cofrin, who is in her fourth season at the helm of the Lions Lacrosse. Cofrin led the program to its first-ever berth in the Ivy League Tournament, reaching three conference wins for the first time in school history last season. This past weekend, Columbia opened their 2019 season with a 13-12 home victory over Siena. Attacker Alexandria Absey led the way for the Lions, scoring a game-high four goals. Down by two at halftime, Columbia rallied with 10 goals in the second half to earn the victory. Next up, the Lions hosts Fairfield on Wednesday before heading out West to take on the Sun Devils.?? SUN DEVILS WIN ??
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) February 26, 2018
The Devils pull off an incredible come-from-behind effort to defeat the Columbia Lions, 15-12#SunDevilSpark pic.twitter.com/yHB5mtbeB3
"Columbia is a program trending in the right direction and continues to build momentum," Coach Martinez Connor stated. "They have played twice since the last time we did, so we have to be sharp right from the first draw."
On Sunday, February 24th at 11 a.m., the Sun Devils match-up with Stetson in the second game of the weekend. Similar to the history with Columbia, these two teams faced off during the 2018 season. Arizona State got off to a hot start in their second game at the Division I level, taking a 11-3 lead into the half in Deland. The Sun Devils were able to hold off a furious Hatters comeback attempt, keeping their composure down the stretch. Kerri Clayton was the star offensively, scoring five goals while dishing out two assists. For her efforts, Clayton was named the Alpha National Player of the Week on February 14th by Inside Lacrosse.
Stetson is coached by Christy Leach, who is in the midst of her fifth season in charge of the Hatters Lacrosse program. As a player, Leach was a part of four national titles during her time at Northwestern. Her squad opened the season with a closely-contested home loss in double overtime to Quinnipiac. Stetson squared off with Monmouth this past weekend, their second game of the 2019 season. The Hatters were unable to make up a 10-4 halftime deficit, as they fell to 0-2 on the season.?? SUN DEVILS WIN ??
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) February 11, 2018
The Sun Devils escape a close one in the second half to stay undefeated on the season. #SunDevilSpark pic.twitter.com/t7TF22c58i
"The second game of a weekend brings its own challenges," Coach Martinez Connor remarked. "But we are also preparing to face a hungry and determined team on Sunday"
Sun Devil Lacrosse invites members of the Junior Sun Devil club to join us in helping greet the Sun Devils as they come out onto the field by forming a pre-game spirit tunnel before the game against Stetson on Sunday, February 24th. The Sun Devil Lacrosse coaching staff will be hosting a post-game clinic that costs just $25.
Live stats will be available to the media and the public. 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.