TEMPE, Ariz. – As the Sun Devil Lacrosse season approaches, fans will be provided a position-by-position breakdown of the 2020 team as part of the Season Preview series.
First up, get an inside look at a position near and dear to the heart of new Sun Devil Lacrosse Head Coach Tim McCormack. The following is a comprehensive outlook of the Sun Devil Lacrosse goalkeeper position.
SEASON PREVIEW: GOALKEEPERS
The goalkeeper position is as deep as it has ever been at Arizona State, with the group running four players deep.
"They put a tremendous amount of work in as a unit and have done a nice job of supporting each other," Coach McCormack observed. "I am excited about their development."
Returning starter Berkeley Bonneau comes off a standout 2019 campaign and continues to build a relationship with the new coaching staff.
"My relationship with Berkeley has grown a lot since I first got here," Coach McCormack commented. "She is going to be huge for us this year and we are really excited to continue to watch her perform."
The Sun Devils also return junior Sophia Thomas, who saw game action last season in a backup role. Coach McCormack has the luxury of boasting a roster featuring three individuals with playing experience, as senior Campbell Poe comes back for her third season in Tempe.
"Experience is one of the only things you really can't coach," Coach McCormack mentioned. "It is huge to have to players who have had that experience, understand what it takes, and can constantly push the shooters. Sophia (Thomas) and Campbell (Poe) are willing to help in any possible way."
A new face enters the mix this season, as freshman Lindsey Spies arrives as part of an exciting freshman class.
Coach McCormack raved about the instant impact that Spies has had. "Lindsey has been extremely consistent and it is really hard to do that as a freshman."
After putting together one of the best seasons in the country by a goalie, Berkeley Bonneau plans on taking her game to another level.
A big reason for that change is the addition of Coach Tim McCormack, who fills several roles on the staff. Not only is he the Head Coach, but as a former All-American goalkeeper, he works closely with his four goalies.
"Coach McCormack does a great job of letting me play my game because goalie is a position that isn't necessarily by the book," Bonneau mentioned. "Everybody does it different, and he has kind of instilled that in me."
Bonneau's improvement is a scary thought for opposing offenses, considering the campaign she put together a season ago. The Coppell, Texas native was one of the best at her position in the country, finishing fifth in the NCAA with 194 saves. She recorded double-digit saves on 13 different occasions, including setting a school-record with an incredible 20-save performance on the road against No. 23 Colorado.
As an All-American goalkeeper at UMass from 2009-12, Coach McCormack knows a thing or two about how to play the position at a high level. He started 45 consecutive games in net for the Minutemen from his sophomore campaign on. His senior year featured a perfect 15-0 record between the pipes, at one point leading the Minutemen to the No. 1 ranking in the country.
"Coming in, there was definitely a process of feeling each other out," Coach McCormack revealed in reference to his relationship with Bonneau. "I told Berk the first day we met that I felt if I tried to guide her with her unorthodox style, it would actually be detrimental. At first, there was some reluctance. Eventually, she started to see that with the way that she plays, it is better to just play and not think. We have a great relationship that continues to grow."
Despite already being a two-year starter and establishing herself as one of the nation's top goalkeepers, Bonneau could just be scratching the surface of her potential.
"My biggest strength right now is I.Q. of the game," Bonneau reflected. "In the past, I haven't had the leadership or a goalie mindset to really understand how the game works. Coach McCormack has created an environment to let me be the goalie that I have always dreamed of being."
Waiting in the wings behind the upperclassmen Bonneau is freshman goalkeeper Lindsey Spies, who brings a new dynamic to the position.
"Lindsey and I feed off each other every day," Bonneau observed. "She brings a type of energy that I appreciate. Each day we get the chance to laugh with each other and build off of each other's skills in a way that helps us both ultimately be better goalies."
The Pasadena, Maryland native was a three-year member of the Chesapeake High School Varsity team, where she was a standout goalie for the Cougars. Like Bonneau, Spies possesses a high Lacrosse I.Q. that carries over in the classroom, earning her honors both on and off the field during her prep career. She has maanged to make a strong impression on the coaching staff since arriving in Tempe.
"Even though she may not be the tallest, she plays bigger than her frame," raved Coach McCormack in regards to his freshman goalkeeper. "She makes the saves she needs to make and has a great ability with the ball in her stick as well, starting transition opportunities with her outlet passes."
"The position is a collective effort," Coach McCormack remarked. "It is not just one person, and we have touched on that. Each one of those goalies know they are an extremely valuable part of what we are trying to do as a team."
Part of that collective effort includes Sophia Thomas, who has appeared in 18 games over the past two seasons. She received her first career start last April against Liberty, making three saves in one half of action. Thomas earned a win and made seven saves as the Sun Devils defeated California for their first win over a Pac-12 school during the program's inaugural season. The junior has made 33 saves, collected nine ground balls, and caused a pair of turnovers through two seasons in Tempe.
Next up in our Season Preview series, fans will get a complete look at the Sun Devil defensive unit. Stay tuned for more position-by-position breakdowns leading up to Arizona State's season opener on February 8 at 2 pm at UC Davis.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For coverage all season long, follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWLax) and like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sundevilwlax/). Visit our website, TheSunDevils.com, for the latest updates and information on the program leading up to the 2020 season.
First up, get an inside look at a position near and dear to the heart of new Sun Devil Lacrosse Head Coach Tim McCormack. The following is a comprehensive outlook of the Sun Devil Lacrosse goalkeeper position.
SEASON PREVIEW: GOALKEEPERS
The goalkeeper position is as deep as it has ever been at Arizona State, with the group running four players deep.
"They put a tremendous amount of work in as a unit and have done a nice job of supporting each other," Coach McCormack observed. "I am excited about their development."
Returning starter Berkeley Bonneau comes off a standout 2019 campaign and continues to build a relationship with the new coaching staff.
"My relationship with Berkeley has grown a lot since I first got here," Coach McCormack commented. "She is going to be huge for us this year and we are really excited to continue to watch her perform."
The Sun Devils also return junior Sophia Thomas, who saw game action last season in a backup role. Coach McCormack has the luxury of boasting a roster featuring three individuals with playing experience, as senior Campbell Poe comes back for her third season in Tempe.
"Experience is one of the only things you really can't coach," Coach McCormack mentioned. "It is huge to have to players who have had that experience, understand what it takes, and can constantly push the shooters. Sophia (Thomas) and Campbell (Poe) are willing to help in any possible way."
A new face enters the mix this season, as freshman Lindsey Spies arrives as part of an exciting freshman class.
Coach McCormack raved about the instant impact that Spies has had. "Lindsey has been extremely consistent and it is really hard to do that as a freshman."
After putting together one of the best seasons in the country by a goalie, Berkeley Bonneau plans on taking her game to another level.
"I feel like I am a different goalie," redshirt junior Berkeley Bonneau remarked. "In the offseason, I was able to get into a groove by not thinking too much and playing how I play. That is the main thing that has allowed me to continue to get better every day and build off my last two seasons in a different way than I have before."Now that the #NCAALax season has concluded, ????Goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau officially finished 5?th in the nation with 1?9?4? saves! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/5M7wJPR4MP
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) May 28, 2019
A big reason for that change is the addition of Coach Tim McCormack, who fills several roles on the staff. Not only is he the Head Coach, but as a former All-American goalkeeper, he works closely with his four goalies.
"Coach McCormack does a great job of letting me play my game because goalie is a position that isn't necessarily by the book," Bonneau mentioned. "Everybody does it different, and he has kind of instilled that in me."
Bonneau's improvement is a scary thought for opposing offenses, considering the campaign she put together a season ago. The Coppell, Texas native was one of the best at her position in the country, finishing fifth in the NCAA with 194 saves. She recorded double-digit saves on 13 different occasions, including setting a school-record with an incredible 20-save performance on the road against No. 23 Colorado.
"I am extremely excited for this season," Bonneau exclaimed. "After three years without a goalie coach and kind of doing it on my own, to have such a successful collegiate goalie (Coach McCormack) come in and give me his knowledge, it has really helped me improve."It was a record-setting weekend for @SunDevilWLax ????
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) March 18, 2019
The 2?0?-save performance by Berkeley Bonneau represents a new school record! pic.twitter.com/FTSymuXxIX
As an All-American goalkeeper at UMass from 2009-12, Coach McCormack knows a thing or two about how to play the position at a high level. He started 45 consecutive games in net for the Minutemen from his sophomore campaign on. His senior year featured a perfect 15-0 record between the pipes, at one point leading the Minutemen to the No. 1 ranking in the country.
"Coming in, there was definitely a process of feeling each other out," Coach McCormack revealed in reference to his relationship with Bonneau. "I told Berk the first day we met that I felt if I tried to guide her with her unorthodox style, it would actually be detrimental. At first, there was some reluctance. Eventually, she started to see that with the way that she plays, it is better to just play and not think. We have a great relationship that continues to grow."
Despite already being a two-year starter and establishing herself as one of the nation's top goalkeepers, Bonneau could just be scratching the surface of her potential.
"My biggest strength right now is I.Q. of the game," Bonneau reflected. "In the past, I haven't had the leadership or a goalie mindset to really understand how the game works. Coach McCormack has created an environment to let me be the goalie that I have always dreamed of being."
Waiting in the wings behind the upperclassmen Bonneau is freshman goalkeeper Lindsey Spies, who brings a new dynamic to the position.
"Lindsey and I feed off each other every day," Bonneau observed. "She brings a type of energy that I appreciate. Each day we get the chance to laugh with each other and build off of each other's skills in a way that helps us both ultimately be better goalies."
The Pasadena, Maryland native was a three-year member of the Chesapeake High School Varsity team, where she was a standout goalie for the Cougars. Like Bonneau, Spies possesses a high Lacrosse I.Q. that carries over in the classroom, earning her honors both on and off the field during her prep career. She has maanged to make a strong impression on the coaching staff since arriving in Tempe.
"Even though she may not be the tallest, she plays bigger than her frame," raved Coach McCormack in regards to his freshman goalkeeper. "She makes the saves she needs to make and has a great ability with the ball in her stick as well, starting transition opportunities with her outlet passes."
"The position is a collective effort," Coach McCormack remarked. "It is not just one person, and we have touched on that. Each one of those goalies know they are an extremely valuable part of what we are trying to do as a team."
Part of that collective effort includes Sophia Thomas, who has appeared in 18 games over the past two seasons. She received her first career start last April against Liberty, making three saves in one half of action. Thomas earned a win and made seven saves as the Sun Devils defeated California for their first win over a Pac-12 school during the program's inaugural season. The junior has made 33 saves, collected nine ground balls, and caused a pair of turnovers through two seasons in Tempe.
The final piece of the deepest goalie group in program history is senior Campbell Poe, who demonstrated a season ago that she is prepared for any situation. Showing no signs of rust despite not playing most of the season due to injury, Poe immediately made a save in relief during the matchup with No. 16 USC. With three career games under her belt, Poe gives the Sun Devils another option in between the pipes.STARTING LINEUP! #BeatLiberty pic.twitter.com/8J9P3qbI21
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) April 12, 2019
"Right now, the goalie group we have is extremely competitive," Bonneau said. "Everyone works hard, competes each day, and continues to push each other to keep getting better."????????????????
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) April 20, 2019
Goalie @CampbellPoe makes her first appearance of the season in the cage for the Sun Devils and makes a save on the first shot she sees! pic.twitter.com/qhh8DSssbP
Next up in our Season Preview series, fans will get a complete look at the Sun Devil defensive unit. Stay tuned for more position-by-position breakdowns leading up to Arizona State's season opener on February 8 at 2 pm at UC Davis.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For coverage all season long, follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWLax) and like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sundevilwlax/). Visit our website, TheSunDevils.com, for the latest updates and information on the program leading up to the 2020 season.