TEMPE, Ariz. – The second season at the Division I level for Sun Devil Lacrosse will begin this week, as the team welcomes Kennesaw State to Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium on Friday, February 8th at 6 p.m.
The program put together a historic campaign a season ago, reaching several significant milestones and earning unexpected accomplishments under Head Coach Courtney Martinez Connor. Arizona State's six wins a season ago represented one more victory than the other three first-year Division I programs combined to earn. A blend of skilled returners with a year of experience under their belt combined with a talented group of freshmen has generated excitement around the Sun Devil Lacrosse program heading into this year.
On Friday, February 8th, the group will undergo its first test when they take on Kennesaw State at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium. The two teams matched up in Kennesaw to open the 2018 season, the first game at the Division I level for the Sun Devils. Attacker Graci Fulkerson scored the program's first-ever goal, coming just 45 seconds into the game. Coach Martinez Connor's squad would take a 6-4 lead into half, 30 minutes away from capturing the monumental victory. Attacker Kerri Clayton took over in the second half, scoring five of her seven goals after halftime as the Sun Devils cruised to a 14-6 triumph. For her efforts, Clayton received Inside Lacrosse's Alpha Lacrosse Player of the Week on Feb. 14 as voted on by lacrosse fans across the country. Goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau earned the win after playing all 60 minutes in net, totaling 10 saves, the first of nine double-digit save efforts for her in 2018.
"Kennesaw State represents a test for the young players on our team who will be playing in their first-ever collegiate game," Coach Martinez Connor mentioned. "The coaching staff will be closely observing who is ready to compete and which individuals raise their level when the pressure is on."
Not only does Friday's face-off with Kennesaw State represent the 2019 season opener, Sun Devil Athletics will also be honoring the strong relationship that the University has with the nation of Canada. Three sporting events in February have been deemed "Canadian Nights", in which ASU will recognize the student-athletes and fans that hail from the neighbors to our North. The second edition of "Canada Night" will be Friday, February 8th at 6 p.m. when Sun Devil Lacrosse competes against Kennesaw State. Sun Devil Lacrosse connection to Canada comes in the form of midfielder Avery Hamill, who attended Paris District High School located in Paris, Ontario. Hamill was a member of Team Ontario who captured the 2016 Women's Lacrosse Canadian National Championship. Following the contest, fans will be given the opportunity to ask questions to Hamill in a Chalk Talk-type setting. In addition to the Canadian-themed festivities, there will be an opportunity postgame for fans to receive autographs from some of their favorite Sun Devil Lacrosse athletes.
The program put together a historic campaign a season ago, reaching several significant milestones and earning unexpected accomplishments under Head Coach Courtney Martinez Connor. Arizona State's six wins a season ago represented one more victory than the other three first-year Division I programs combined to earn. A blend of skilled returners with a year of experience under their belt combined with a talented group of freshmen has generated excitement around the Sun Devil Lacrosse program heading into this year.
"The team has eagerly been awaiting getting to finally play somebody besides ourselves," Coach Martinez Connor stated. "I am excited to see the progress we have made and expect us to build off of last season."3? years ago today, @CourtneyMConnor was named the first ever head coach in @SunDevilWLax ???? history! What a tenure it has been, reaching several program milestones in just her first season at the helm! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/3ojKU2yUo9
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) November 5, 2018
On Friday, February 8th, the group will undergo its first test when they take on Kennesaw State at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium. The two teams matched up in Kennesaw to open the 2018 season, the first game at the Division I level for the Sun Devils. Attacker Graci Fulkerson scored the program's first-ever goal, coming just 45 seconds into the game. Coach Martinez Connor's squad would take a 6-4 lead into half, 30 minutes away from capturing the monumental victory. Attacker Kerri Clayton took over in the second half, scoring five of her seven goals after halftime as the Sun Devils cruised to a 14-6 triumph. For her efforts, Clayton received Inside Lacrosse's Alpha Lacrosse Player of the Week on Feb. 14 as voted on by lacrosse fans across the country. Goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau earned the win after playing all 60 minutes in net, totaling 10 saves, the first of nine double-digit save efforts for her in 2018.
Kennesaw State Head Coach Laura Maness enters her third season at the helm of the program that began in 2013. The Owls have enjoyed the two winningest seasons in the young program's history during Maness' tenure. She wrapped up the 2017 season, her first in charge, with a program-high eight wins. The Owls then followed it up the next season with a seven-win campaign, putting together the school's first winning season in conference play. The Owls boast both the Atlantic Sun Preseason Player of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year. Freshman sensation Siena Gore received top recognition in the conference, returning for her sophomore season after bursting onto the scene by putting up 70 goals. Defender Maura Palandro started all 18 games last season, leading a defensive backline that allowed an average of 13.57 goals per game, the lowest average in KSU single-season history.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
"Kennesaw State represents a test for the young players on our team who will be playing in their first-ever collegiate game," Coach Martinez Connor mentioned. "The coaching staff will be closely observing who is ready to compete and which individuals raise their level when the pressure is on."
Not only does Friday's face-off with Kennesaw State represent the 2019 season opener, Sun Devil Athletics will also be honoring the strong relationship that the University has with the nation of Canada. Three sporting events in February have been deemed "Canadian Nights", in which ASU will recognize the student-athletes and fans that hail from the neighbors to our North. The second edition of "Canada Night" will be Friday, February 8th at 6 p.m. when Sun Devil Lacrosse competes against Kennesaw State. Sun Devil Lacrosse connection to Canada comes in the form of midfielder Avery Hamill, who attended Paris District High School located in Paris, Ontario. Hamill was a member of Team Ontario who captured the 2016 Women's Lacrosse Canadian National Championship. Following the contest, fans will be given the opportunity to ask questions to Hamill in a Chalk Talk-type setting. In addition to the Canadian-themed festivities, there will be an opportunity postgame for fans to receive autographs from some of their favorite Sun Devil Lacrosse athletes.
Fans can watch live as the game will be broadcasted via the Pac-12 Digital Stream. 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.Help us celebrate the neighbors to our North as @TheSunDevils hosts three Canadian Nights in February! ????????@SunDevilWLax hosts the second edition of "Canada Night" when they open the season with Kennesaw State on February 8th at 7 p.m.
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) January 25, 2019
??: https://t.co/1iRm3bx3Gl pic.twitter.com/U2ckB1FTth