TEMPE, Ariz. – The Sun Devil Lacrosse team returns after a four-game road stretch to start the 2020 season, hosting Marquette at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium in their home opener on Thursday at 12 p.m.
Arizona State (2-2) picked up four of their six wins last season at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium, including victories in two of their final three home games. Several Sun Devils delivered historic performances on their home turf in 2019, highlighted by a record-breaking 12-point (8 goals & 4 assists) explosion from Kerri Clayton in the win over Oregon. Additionally, Emily Glagolev matched a program-high with a six-assist performance leading ASU to victory over San Diego State on Senior Day. The team hopes to build on that success heading into their first home game of 2020.
"It is very exciting to get to play our first game together on our home field," Coach McCormack remarked. "It's a place that we take a lot of pride in and put hard work on and we can't wait to be out there on Thursday."
The Pac-12's leading scoring offense through four games resides in Tempe, as Arizona State leads the conference averaging 17.5 goals/game. Coach McCormack oversees arguably the nation's most efficient offense, as his team leads the country with a 59.8 shooting percentage (70 of 117) through four games.
"Offensively our group has found great flow and chemistry together," Coach McCormack mentioned. "We aren't fully reliant on any single individual and everyone has been able to contribute. They are playing loose and free and with a lot of confidence which helps as well."
The offense has thrived under the new coaching staff's system, with players contributing throughout the roster. In four games, seven different Sun Devils have scored at least four goals, including four with seven or more. In total, 17 different individuals have recorded a point so far this season.
Thursday's matchup has been selected as the 942 Crew Game of the Week, with students receiving a free t-shirt when entering the game. A reminder that admission is free to all Sun Devil Lacrosse home games. Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium is located at 655 S Athletes Pl, Tempe, AZ 85281.
The Sun Devils dropped a back-and-forth battle with San Diego State, 19-18, in the last of their four-game road stretch to open the season. Arizona State fought off several Aztec rallies, taking the lead on multiple occasions, but were unable to withstand a late push by the home team over the final 48 seconds.
Kerri Clayton put on a show offensively, compiling a game-high nine points and attempting to will her team to victory. For the third time in her career, she finished with 6 or more goals in a game. Clayton is the only Sun Devil to have accomplished the feat. Her nine-point performance was the second-highest of her career. Clayton now has hat tricks in all four games to start the 2020 season.
Arizona State remained in the game partially due to the heroics of Berkeley Bonneau, who not only finished with 14 saves, including six coming on Aztec free-position attempts. She showed off her versatile skill set during her 14-save outing, the 23rd double-digit save performance of her career. Bonneau also collected a season and team-high eight ground balls, the second-highest total of her career.
KNOW YOUR FOE: MARQUETTE
Arizona State welcomes Marquette to Tempe for a non-conference battle on Thursday at noon. The Golden Eagles are coached by Meredith Black, who led the Golden Eagles to a 9-9 record last season. The members of the Big East are winners of their last two games, giving them a 3-2 record heading into the matchup. Marquette will be looking for their first road win, previously outscored by a combined score of 34-9 in matchups with No. 3 Notre Dame and Louisville. The first tilt between the two programs is the first of a six-game home stand, giving fans plenty of chances to check out the new-look Sun Devils.
"Marquette is a tough team," Coach McCormack observed. "They play hard for 60 minutes. They are solid on the draw control and try to grind you down offensively and defensively. We have to remained focused on us and keep improving every day."
Midfielder Caroline Steller (17 points) and attacker Megan Menzuber (16 points) pace the Marquette offense, which averages 11.4 goals/game. The Golden Eagles have utilized two goalkeepers this season, with Sophia Leva (126 minutes) and Julianna Horning (172 minutes) splitting time almost equally. They are part of a defense that allows 12.0 goals and averages 10.2 saves a game.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Sun Devil fans, don't miss out on your first opportunity to see the 2020 lacrosse team in action. If you can't make it out to the game, a live stream will be provided at the following link. Track the game via live stats, which will be provided here. In-game updates can be found by following the Sun Devil Lacrosse twitter account (@SunDevilWLax). Visit our Instagram and Facebook accounts for pre-game and post-game coverage of the game.
For the latest information throughout the season, follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWLax) and like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sundevilwlax/).
Arizona State (2-2) picked up four of their six wins last season at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium, including victories in two of their final three home games. Several Sun Devils delivered historic performances on their home turf in 2019, highlighted by a record-breaking 12-point (8 goals & 4 assists) explosion from Kerri Clayton in the win over Oregon. Additionally, Emily Glagolev matched a program-high with a six-assist performance leading ASU to victory over San Diego State on Senior Day. The team hopes to build on that success heading into their first home game of 2020.
12. POINT. DAY.
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) April 6, 2019
Take a bow, @kerriclayton, who assisted on the game-winner! pic.twitter.com/RxEuaXOuTW
"It is very exciting to get to play our first game together on our home field," Coach McCormack remarked. "It's a place that we take a lot of pride in and put hard work on and we can't wait to be out there on Thursday."
The Pac-12's leading scoring offense through four games resides in Tempe, as Arizona State leads the conference averaging 17.5 goals/game. Coach McCormack oversees arguably the nation's most efficient offense, as his team leads the country with a 59.8 shooting percentage (70 of 117) through four games.
"Offensively our group has found great flow and chemistry together," Coach McCormack mentioned. "We aren't fully reliant on any single individual and everyone has been able to contribute. They are playing loose and free and with a lot of confidence which helps as well."
The offense has thrived under the new coaching staff's system, with players contributing throughout the roster. In four games, seven different Sun Devils have scored at least four goals, including four with seven or more. In total, 17 different individuals have recorded a point so far this season.
Thursday's matchup has been selected as the 942 Crew Game of the Week, with students receiving a free t-shirt when entering the game. A reminder that admission is free to all Sun Devil Lacrosse home games. Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium is located at 655 S Athletes Pl, Tempe, AZ 85281.
LAST TIME OUTCalling all ASU students?? ??
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) February 26, 2020
The @SunDevilWLax home opener tomorrow has been selected as the 9?4?2? Game of the Week?? ????@942Crew will be giving away Arizona State Lacrosse T-Shirts to students who attend the game????
Come get a shirt and cheer on the Sun Devils ?? pic.twitter.com/NqoipeVBIb
The Sun Devils dropped a back-and-forth battle with San Diego State, 19-18, in the last of their four-game road stretch to open the season. Arizona State fought off several Aztec rallies, taking the lead on multiple occasions, but were unable to withstand a late push by the home team over the final 48 seconds.
Kerri Clayton put on a show offensively, compiling a game-high nine points and attempting to will her team to victory. For the third time in her career, she finished with 6 or more goals in a game. Clayton is the only Sun Devil to have accomplished the feat. Her nine-point performance was the second-highest of her career. Clayton now has hat tricks in all four games to start the 2020 season.
Arizona State remained in the game partially due to the heroics of Berkeley Bonneau, who not only finished with 14 saves, including six coming on Aztec free-position attempts. She showed off her versatile skill set during her 14-save outing, the 23rd double-digit save performance of her career. Bonneau also collected a season and team-high eight ground balls, the second-highest total of her career.
The theme of a balanced attack continued for the Arizona State offense, as they received contributions throughout the roster. A total of nine different Sun Devils scored at least one goal, with four record multi-goal games. Emily Glagolev stuffed the stat sheet yet again, totaling six points behind the strength of her fifth consecutive performance with three or more assists dating back to last season. Maddy Hunter produced the third hat trick of her career, all of which came in the second half. In a game that featured seven lead changes, the Aztecs prevailed thanks to 11 second half goals.Despite the loss, these two delivered a couple of big-time performances ?? pic.twitter.com/teqLAyzrU0
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) February 21, 2020
KNOW YOUR FOE: MARQUETTE
Arizona State welcomes Marquette to Tempe for a non-conference battle on Thursday at noon. The Golden Eagles are coached by Meredith Black, who led the Golden Eagles to a 9-9 record last season. The members of the Big East are winners of their last two games, giving them a 3-2 record heading into the matchup. Marquette will be looking for their first road win, previously outscored by a combined score of 34-9 in matchups with No. 3 Notre Dame and Louisville. The first tilt between the two programs is the first of a six-game home stand, giving fans plenty of chances to check out the new-look Sun Devils.
"Marquette is a tough team," Coach McCormack observed. "They play hard for 60 minutes. They are solid on the draw control and try to grind you down offensively and defensively. We have to remained focused on us and keep improving every day."
Midfielder Caroline Steller (17 points) and attacker Megan Menzuber (16 points) pace the Marquette offense, which averages 11.4 goals/game. The Golden Eagles have utilized two goalkeepers this season, with Sophia Leva (126 minutes) and Julianna Horning (172 minutes) splitting time almost equally. They are part of a defense that allows 12.0 goals and averages 10.2 saves a game.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Sun Devil fans, don't miss out on your first opportunity to see the 2020 lacrosse team in action. If you can't make it out to the game, a live stream will be provided at the following link. Track the game via live stats, which will be provided here. In-game updates can be found by following the Sun Devil Lacrosse twitter account (@SunDevilWLax). Visit our Instagram and Facebook accounts for pre-game and post-game coverage of the game.
For the latest information throughout the season, follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWLax) and like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sundevilwlax/).