LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Sun Devil Lacrosse team wrapped up their regular season schedule by falling to No. 16 USC, 16-10, at McAlister Field on Saturday afternoon.
A spirited effort by Arizona State, particularly in the second half, gives Coach Martinez Connor some positive takeaways as the team prepares for the Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament. The Sun Devils outscored the Trojans 6-3 over the final 30 minutes, also winning the ground ball and turnover battle. Progress clearly was on display when comparing the first matchup between the two teams, as Arizona State cut the margin of defeat in half.
"We asked them to pick up the intensity at halftime and I like what I saw for the most part in the second half," Coach Martinez Connor stated. "I expect them to build off that performance and get themselves ready for the Pac-12 Tournament."
Freshman midfielder Kaylon Buckner decided to celebrate her birthday in style, putting on a show against the conference-leading Trojans. Buckner finished with five points, which included a career-best four goals, in an all-around impressive performance. She contributed in several other facets of the game, controlling three draws while also picking up four ground balls to go along with her productive offensive day.
Goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau faced a heavy workload, but answered the call with another double-digit save performance. She shined in the second half, with several of her spectacular saves sparking the Sun Devil attack on the other end. Her 15 saves will increase her 10.75 saves/game average, which coming into the game was already Top-10 nationally. Bonneau now has 12 double-digit save performances this season and 21 in her Sun Devil career.
It would be the visiting Sun Devils who would jump on the board first, executing their offense exactly how they drew it up in pre-game warmups. Taylor Carson continued to show off her hot hand, backing up a four-goal performance in the win over San Diego State with a goal a little over two minutes into the game. Emily Glagolev assisted on the play, giving her at least one helper in 11 consecutive games. She becomes the first Pac-12 player to hit the 30-assist mark this season.
USC was taken out of their rhythm to begin the game, unable to score until the almost ten minutes into the game. They quickly racked up three goals over the next two minutes, aided by two free-position goals. The answer the Sun Devils needed came from Emily Glagolev, who registered a goal for the seventh time over the last eight games with 18:03 remaining in the first half. Glagolev has strung together eight straight multi-point efforts as she continues her incredible play as of late.
Arizona State would find themselves working out of a hole, as the Trojans managed to widen the lead through the middle of the first half. Paige McGlothlin and Kerri Clayton showed off the chemistry that has developed through the season, as the veteran Clayton set up the freshman McGlothlin with a beautiful feed and finish combination. McGlothlin now has 17 goals this season for the Sun Devils, which ties Kate Dougherty (2018) for the second most goals by a true freshman in program history.
The Sun Devils final goal of the half would be a preview of what to come in the second half, as Kaylon Buckner scored her first goal of the game to cut the lead to 12-4. Despite the heroics of Berkeley Bonneau, who settled in nicely as the game went on, USC would score once more to take a 13-4 lead into halftime.
Kick starting the scoring and second half comeback effort, Carley Adams found the back of the net for the third consecutive game to get the Sun Devils back within single digits with 20:38 remaining.
After another Trojan goal put them back up ten, Kaylon Buckner showed her ability to take over a game and lead an offensive rally. In less than a minute span, Buckner assisted on a goal and then scored two of her own, creating some restlessness amongst the crowd in Los Angeles. First, Buckner set up Kate Dougherty in front of the net, who buried her 12th goal fo the season. Next it was Buckner's turn, as she was on a mission to get her team back in the game. Two goals, separated by only 12 seconds, were made possible by a strong effort in the draw circle by Buckner.
Next up, the Sun Devil prepare for postseason play and a trip to Eugene next week. The 2019 Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament, scheduled for April 25-28, will be hosted by the University of Oregon at Pape Field. Arizona State will be the five seed and will play fourth-seed California in the first round at a time to be determined on Thursday, April 28th. For tickets and more information of the Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament, visit the following link. Stay tuned to Instagram/Twitter (@SunDevilWLax) as well as liking our Facebook for additional updates on the tournament schedule. Visit TheSunDevils.com for comprehensive coverage of Sun Devil Lacrosse.
A spirited effort by Arizona State, particularly in the second half, gives Coach Martinez Connor some positive takeaways as the team prepares for the Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament. The Sun Devils outscored the Trojans 6-3 over the final 30 minutes, also winning the ground ball and turnover battle. Progress clearly was on display when comparing the first matchup between the two teams, as Arizona State cut the margin of defeat in half.
"We asked them to pick up the intensity at halftime and I like what I saw for the most part in the second half," Coach Martinez Connor stated. "I expect them to build off that performance and get themselves ready for the Pac-12 Tournament."
Freshman midfielder Kaylon Buckner decided to celebrate her birthday in style, putting on a show against the conference-leading Trojans. Buckner finished with five points, which included a career-best four goals, in an all-around impressive performance. She contributed in several other facets of the game, controlling three draws while also picking up four ground balls to go along with her productive offensive day.
Goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau faced a heavy workload, but answered the call with another double-digit save performance. She shined in the second half, with several of her spectacular saves sparking the Sun Devil attack on the other end. Her 15 saves will increase her 10.75 saves/game average, which coming into the game was already Top-10 nationally. Bonneau now has 12 double-digit save performances this season and 21 in her Sun Devil career.
"Berkeley had moments in which she was spectacular and kept us in the game," Coach Martinez Connor remarked. "I can't wait to see what she can do next week during the biggest game of our season at Pac-12's"????????????????
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) April 20, 2019
"I'll take that!" - @berkeleybonneau
She makes another save trying to keep the Sun Devils in this one
?? 2 | ?? 7
11:58 - 1st Half pic.twitter.com/1E8ZJeXm5G
It would be the visiting Sun Devils who would jump on the board first, executing their offense exactly how they drew it up in pre-game warmups. Taylor Carson continued to show off her hot hand, backing up a four-goal performance in the win over San Diego State with a goal a little over two minutes into the game. Emily Glagolev assisted on the play, giving her at least one helper in 11 consecutive games. She becomes the first Pac-12 player to hit the 30-assist mark this season.
USC was taken out of their rhythm to begin the game, unable to score until the almost ten minutes into the game. They quickly racked up three goals over the next two minutes, aided by two free-position goals. The answer the Sun Devils needed came from Emily Glagolev, who registered a goal for the seventh time over the last eight games with 18:03 remaining in the first half. Glagolev has strung together eight straight multi-point efforts as she continues her incredible play as of late.
Arizona State would find themselves working out of a hole, as the Trojans managed to widen the lead through the middle of the first half. Paige McGlothlin and Kerri Clayton showed off the chemistry that has developed through the season, as the veteran Clayton set up the freshman McGlothlin with a beautiful feed and finish combination. McGlothlin now has 17 goals this season for the Sun Devils, which ties Kate Dougherty (2018) for the second most goals by a true freshman in program history.
???? ???????? ????
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) April 20, 2019
Kerri Clayton fakes the defense out with a pump and finds an open Paige McGlothlin for a goal! 17 goals on the season for the freshman!
?? 3 | ?? 8
9:20 - 1st Half pic.twitter.com/5KaYRD2uKZ
The Sun Devils final goal of the half would be a preview of what to come in the second half, as Kaylon Buckner scored her first goal of the game to cut the lead to 12-4. Despite the heroics of Berkeley Bonneau, who settled in nicely as the game went on, USC would score once more to take a 13-4 lead into halftime.
Kick starting the scoring and second half comeback effort, Carley Adams found the back of the net for the third consecutive game to get the Sun Devils back within single digits with 20:38 remaining.
After another Trojan goal put them back up ten, Kaylon Buckner showed her ability to take over a game and lead an offensive rally. In less than a minute span, Buckner assisted on a goal and then scored two of her own, creating some restlessness amongst the crowd in Los Angeles. First, Buckner set up Kate Dougherty in front of the net, who buried her 12th goal fo the season. Next it was Buckner's turn, as she was on a mission to get her team back in the game. Two goals, separated by only 12 seconds, were made possible by a strong effort in the draw circle by Buckner.
Buckner wasn't done there, as later in the period she scored goal number 14 on the season, her fourth of the night with 7:59 remaining in the game. A strong finish to the game leaves the Sun Devils with confidence heading into the Pac-12 Tournament. Goalkeeper Campbell Poe saw her first action of the season, making an immediate impact coming off the bench to make a save. Kerri Clayton would put the cap on a comeback that would come up short, scoring with eight seconds left to cut the lead to 16-10. The Sun Devils become just the second team from the Pac-12 to reach double-digit goals on a strong USC defensive unit.???? ???????? ????
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) April 20, 2019
Welcome to the Kaylon Buckner Show!
??????
She scores back-to-back goals and now has a hat trick! Sun Devils have the last three goals!
?? 8 | ?? 15
15:13 - 2nd Half pic.twitter.com/AGfU5z4CQn
Next up, the Sun Devil prepare for postseason play and a trip to Eugene next week. The 2019 Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament, scheduled for April 25-28, will be hosted by the University of Oregon at Pape Field. Arizona State will be the five seed and will play fourth-seed California in the first round at a time to be determined on Thursday, April 28th. For tickets and more information of the Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament, visit the following link. Stay tuned to Instagram/Twitter (@SunDevilWLax) as well as liking our Facebook for additional updates on the tournament schedule. Visit TheSunDevils.com for comprehensive coverage of Sun Devil Lacrosse.