TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State Lacrosse opens Pac-12 Conference play this weekend by hosting the Bay Area school for a pair of 1 pm games at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium.
On Friday, March 6 the Sun Devils (4-2) will take on California at 1 pm in the first Pac-12 matchup of the season. Two days later, Arizona State faces off with their second Top-25 opponent of the season in No. 25 Stanford.
The Sun Devil offense has been executing at a high level this season, scoring at least 18 goals in each of their last three games, a feat they accomplished only twice all of last season. Kerri Clayton has been the focal point of the offense, establishing herself as one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the nation. She leads a balanced Sun Devil attack that can beat you in many ways with scoring coming from many sources.
"I think that we have found our groove and have many threats on the field at once, which makes it challenging for the defense," Attacker Kerri Clayton remarked. "Any one of the seven on the offensive end are able to put the ball in the back of the net."
The reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week has 24 goals and 35 points through six games, ranking sixth in the NCAA in both categories. She is averaging 4.0 goals/game, good for 11th nationally. Clayton often draws the majority of the defensive attention, allowing her to get teammates involved. She already has four games with two or more assists this season, dishing out nine helpers over her last three games.
Clayton leads an offense that statistically is one of the nation's best through six games. The Sun Devils are sharing the ball better than anyone, averaging 10.67 assists/game, tying them for the national lead in the category. Arizona State's 28.67 points/game represents the third best total in the country, while their 18 goals/game is tied for fifth in the NCAA. Come out to Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium to witness one the top offenses in the country.
"Our team has really come together the past couple of games," Kerri Clayton observed. "It's exciting to watch and I think it should be a great weekend for Sun Devil Lacrosse."
LAST TIME OUT
The Sun Devil Lacrosse team moved to 2-0 at home with a 20-5 victory over Fresno State on Monday afternoon. A masterful defensive performance and outstanding goalkeeping neutralized the Bulldog attack, while 12 different Sun Devil scored a goal in another balanced effort for the offense. Coming off her Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week selection, goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau looked sharp from the start, preventing the visitors from scoring until the 14-minute mark of the first half. An active and engaged defensive effort forced Fresno State to commit 23 turnovers, with eight of those caused by the Maroon & Gold.
The offense kept on rolling, scoring at least 18 goals for the third consecutive game and fourth time overall this season. Pacing the attack once again was the dynamic duo of Kerri Clayton and Emily Glagolev. The pair continues to terrorize opposing defenses, each finishing with seven points on the day. Clayton scored three goals, becoming the first Sun Devil to surpass the 100-career goal mark. With the majority of the attention paid to her, Clayton did not hesitate to get her teammates involved, matching a career-high with four assists. Emily Glagolev tied her own single-game school record, dishing out six assists as the main facilitator of the offense. Carley Adams had a breakout performance, setting a new career-high finishing with five goals.
KNOW YOUR FOE: CALIFORNIA
In the first Pac-12 game of the season, the Sun Devils matchup with the Golden Bears on Friday at 1 pm. California comes to Tempe with a 2-3 record, most recently snapping a two-game winning streak suffering a loss to San Diego State. Golden Bears' Head Coach Brooke Eubank is in her sixth season at the helm in Berkeley. Arizona State picked up the program's first-ever Pac-12 win over this same California squad in their inaugural season back in March of 2018.
"They are a good team and it will be a good matchup Friday but at the end of the day we are going to continue to play our game no matter what they present," Clayton added.
California comes into the game allowing 11.8 goals/game, the second-best mark in the Pac-12. They average 9.2 goals/game while committing 13.4 turnovers, the second-lowest total in the conference. The Golden Bears are led offensively by Nikki Zaccaro (16 points) and Quinnlyn Mason (14 points). Five different players have scored at least seven goals and four players have nine or more points. Goalkeeper Makayla Ward has played all 270 minutes in net, making 50 saves with a .459 save percentage. Lizabanks Campagna has a team-high 28 draw controls, helping California to a 59-55 advantage in draws so far this season.
"They are scrappy on the draw which is something we work on and have improved every day," Kerri Clayton added.
KNOW YOUR FOE: STANFORD
The second game of the weekend features 2019 NCAA Tournament Participant Stanford. The Sun Devils will take on the Cardinal on March 8 at 1 pm. The Cardinal reached the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons and has won at least 11 games in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
So far in 2020, Stanford is 2-3, with all three losses coming to teams ranked in the Top-10. Sunday's matchup with the Cardinal will pit a pair of high-scoring teams against each other, as Stanford is averaging 15.0 goals/game, second to only the Sun Devils in the Pac-12.
Midfielder Mikaela Watson (18 points) and Attacker Ali Baiocco (16 points) pace the Cardinal offense. Trudie Grattan has seen a majority of the playing time in net for Stanford, playing 287 of a possible 299 minutes. Stanford is the top draw control team in the conference in both percentage and average per game.
"Sunday is going to be awesome," Clayton exclaimed. "Stanford is always a hard, athletic team and will come out firing but any chance we get to go out and show what we've been working on all fall and spring is a great opportunity for us."
Danielle Spencer takes over as Head Coach on "The Farm" after making the move from Dartmouth. Coach Spencer and Sun Devil Lacrosse Head Coach are very familiar with each other, having spent three seasons as part of the Northwestern coaching staff under Kelly Amonte Hiller. During their time together in Evanston, they helped the Wildcats make the NCAA Tournament each season, including a run to the 2014 Final Four.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Sun Devil fans, don't miss out on two more opportunities to see the high-scoring 2020 lacrosse team in action at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium. Admission is free to all Arizona State Lacrosse home events.
If you can't make it out to Friday's game (1 pm), a live stream will be provided at the following link. Track the game via live stats, which will be provided here. Sunday's game (1 pm) will not be live streamed, but live stats can be found here. As always, in-game updates can be found by following the Sun Devil Lacrosse twitter account (@SunDevilWLax).
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 throughout the 2020 season.
On Friday, March 6 the Sun Devils (4-2) will take on California at 1 pm in the first Pac-12 matchup of the season. Two days later, Arizona State faces off with their second Top-25 opponent of the season in No. 25 Stanford.
The Sun Devil offense has been executing at a high level this season, scoring at least 18 goals in each of their last three games, a feat they accomplished only twice all of last season. Kerri Clayton has been the focal point of the offense, establishing herself as one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the nation. She leads a balanced Sun Devil attack that can beat you in many ways with scoring coming from many sources.
"I think that we have found our groove and have many threats on the field at once, which makes it challenging for the defense," Attacker Kerri Clayton remarked. "Any one of the seven on the offensive end are able to put the ball in the back of the net."
The reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week has 24 goals and 35 points through six games, ranking sixth in the NCAA in both categories. She is averaging 4.0 goals/game, good for 11th nationally. Clayton often draws the majority of the defensive attention, allowing her to get teammates involved. She already has four games with two or more assists this season, dishing out nine helpers over her last three games.
"I have found that I've been able to be successful working in tight with my teammates and facilitating the ball, rather than just driving to cage if it is not open," Kerri Clayton mentionedWe interrupt this regularly scheduled programming for an IMPORTANT announcement! ??@SunDevilWLax has SWEPT the Pac-12 Player of the Week honors! ??
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) March 2, 2020
Shout out to @berkeleybonneau (Defensive) and @kerriclayton22 (Offensive) on earning the recognition! ???? #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/NCEHsy9dRB
Clayton leads an offense that statistically is one of the nation's best through six games. The Sun Devils are sharing the ball better than anyone, averaging 10.67 assists/game, tying them for the national lead in the category. Arizona State's 28.67 points/game represents the third best total in the country, while their 18 goals/game is tied for fifth in the NCAA. Come out to Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium to witness one the top offenses in the country.
"Our team has really come together the past couple of games," Kerri Clayton observed. "It's exciting to watch and I think it should be a great weekend for Sun Devil Lacrosse."
LAST TIME OUT
The Sun Devil Lacrosse team moved to 2-0 at home with a 20-5 victory over Fresno State on Monday afternoon. A masterful defensive performance and outstanding goalkeeping neutralized the Bulldog attack, while 12 different Sun Devil scored a goal in another balanced effort for the offense. Coming off her Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week selection, goalkeeper Berkeley Bonneau looked sharp from the start, preventing the visitors from scoring until the 14-minute mark of the first half. An active and engaged defensive effort forced Fresno State to commit 23 turnovers, with eight of those caused by the Maroon & Gold.
The offense kept on rolling, scoring at least 18 goals for the third consecutive game and fourth time overall this season. Pacing the attack once again was the dynamic duo of Kerri Clayton and Emily Glagolev. The pair continues to terrorize opposing defenses, each finishing with seven points on the day. Clayton scored three goals, becoming the first Sun Devil to surpass the 100-career goal mark. With the majority of the attention paid to her, Clayton did not hesitate to get her teammates involved, matching a career-high with four assists. Emily Glagolev tied her own single-game school record, dishing out six assists as the main facilitator of the offense. Carley Adams had a breakout performance, setting a new career-high finishing with five goals.
Several young players earned valuable playing time this afternoon and managed to contribute off the bench. Brittany Chamberlain fought for a ground ball and charged the cage, registering her first goal as a Sun Devil. Kate Gauntlett beat her defender and found a cutting Kate Dougherty, recording her first collegiate assist. Avery Hamill crashed the net and found herself open for her first goal of the season. Emma Carlson found the back of the net for the second time this season, starting a 4-0 run in the second half helping Arizona State pull away.???????????????? ??????????????
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) March 3, 2020
Emily Glagolev got her teammates involved early and often on her way to a 6?-assist performance yesterday, matching her own ASU single-game record ??
She currently leads all of @NCAALAX with 2?2? assists this season ???? pic.twitter.com/2Jn64EsI6K
Arizona State won the battle of the draw controls yet again, thanks to an improved second half effort. ASU boasted a 10-5 advantage in the draw circle over the final 30 minutes, a testament to the increased focus and attention paid to that area. For the second consecutive game, Kerri Clayton earned four draw controls. Emily Glagolev matched Clayton's total, while Kaylon Buckner recorded three in a total team effort.A couple of individuals recorded their first points as a Sun Devil ??
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) March 3, 2020
Here is career goal #?1? for Brittany Chamberlain ?? pic.twitter.com/Jkh9tlydVz
KNOW YOUR FOE: CALIFORNIA
In the first Pac-12 game of the season, the Sun Devils matchup with the Golden Bears on Friday at 1 pm. California comes to Tempe with a 2-3 record, most recently snapping a two-game winning streak suffering a loss to San Diego State. Golden Bears' Head Coach Brooke Eubank is in her sixth season at the helm in Berkeley. Arizona State picked up the program's first-ever Pac-12 win over this same California squad in their inaugural season back in March of 2018.
"They are a good team and it will be a good matchup Friday but at the end of the day we are going to continue to play our game no matter what they present," Clayton added.
California comes into the game allowing 11.8 goals/game, the second-best mark in the Pac-12. They average 9.2 goals/game while committing 13.4 turnovers, the second-lowest total in the conference. The Golden Bears are led offensively by Nikki Zaccaro (16 points) and Quinnlyn Mason (14 points). Five different players have scored at least seven goals and four players have nine or more points. Goalkeeper Makayla Ward has played all 270 minutes in net, making 50 saves with a .459 save percentage. Lizabanks Campagna has a team-high 28 draw controls, helping California to a 59-55 advantage in draws so far this season.
"They are scrappy on the draw which is something we work on and have improved every day," Kerri Clayton added.
KNOW YOUR FOE: STANFORD
The second game of the weekend features 2019 NCAA Tournament Participant Stanford. The Sun Devils will take on the Cardinal on March 8 at 1 pm. The Cardinal reached the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons and has won at least 11 games in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
So far in 2020, Stanford is 2-3, with all three losses coming to teams ranked in the Top-10. Sunday's matchup with the Cardinal will pit a pair of high-scoring teams against each other, as Stanford is averaging 15.0 goals/game, second to only the Sun Devils in the Pac-12.
Midfielder Mikaela Watson (18 points) and Attacker Ali Baiocco (16 points) pace the Cardinal offense. Trudie Grattan has seen a majority of the playing time in net for Stanford, playing 287 of a possible 299 minutes. Stanford is the top draw control team in the conference in both percentage and average per game.
"Sunday is going to be awesome," Clayton exclaimed. "Stanford is always a hard, athletic team and will come out firing but any chance we get to go out and show what we've been working on all fall and spring is a great opportunity for us."
Danielle Spencer takes over as Head Coach on "The Farm" after making the move from Dartmouth. Coach Spencer and Sun Devil Lacrosse Head Coach are very familiar with each other, having spent three seasons as part of the Northwestern coaching staff under Kelly Amonte Hiller. During their time together in Evanston, they helped the Wildcats make the NCAA Tournament each season, including a run to the 2014 Final Four.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Sun Devil fans, don't miss out on two more opportunities to see the high-scoring 2020 lacrosse team in action at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium. Admission is free to all Arizona State Lacrosse home events.
If you can't make it out to Friday's game (1 pm), a live stream will be provided at the following link. Track the game via live stats, which will be provided here. Sunday's game (1 pm) will not be live streamed, but live stats can be found here. As always, in-game updates can be found by following the Sun Devil Lacrosse twitter account (@SunDevilWLax).
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 throughout the 2020 season.