TEMPE, Ariz. – For the first time in 350 days, Sun Devil Lacrosse will take the field when they host San Diego State at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Arizona State will open the 2021 season nearly a calendar year after the 2020 campaign was cut short, depriving fans of what was developing into an exciting first season under Head Coach Tim McCormack. The Sun Devils shift their focus from what could have been to what can be, as there is palpable optimism surrounding the program.
"This team has been working extremely hard and has the ability to take the program to the next level and accomplish our goals," Coach McCormack remarked. "Last season ending so abruptly really put things into perspective for us and as a result I have noticed a different attitude and focus this offseason."
The Maroon & Gold gets to showcase their improvement for the first time on Sunday at 1 pm MST when the San Diego State Aztecs come to town. It represents the fourth consecutive year that the two sides will have matched up, with San Diego State leading the series 2-1.
Arizona State put together an inspired performance on Senior Day back in 2019, defeating the Aztecs behind Emily Glagolev's nine-point performance for their lone win in the series. For her efforts, Glagolev would go on to win Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week.
The Sun Devils will be looking for revenge after battling SDSU in a back-and-forth, high-scoring game on the road last season that ended in a 19-18 Aztecs' win. Kerri Clayton was unstoppable, collecting six goals and three assists for her second-career 9+-point effort.
This year's Aztecs squad will come to Tempe familiar with the Pac-12, having already played two of the Sun Devils' conference foes. They split a pair of home games with No. 13 USC and Oregon, most recently defeating the Ducks 11-9 on Friday. They struggled with a high-powered USC offense, dropping their season opener 20-6 on Feb. 13.
Head Coach Kylee White enters her 10th season at the helm of the San Diego State lacrosse program, compiling a 69-73 record during that time. She built the Aztecs program from the ground up, leading them to three-consecutive double-digit win seasons prior to the shortened 2020 season. The offense has been led by Camdyn O'Donnell and Emily Resnick, who each have 5+ points through two games. Veteran Katy Sharretts, who has started 25 consecutive games for the Aztecs, will be the likely starter in goal.
"San Diego State is a challenging team to face and they have played two games already this season," Coach McCormack observed. "We will have to be ready to come out and match their fitness and intensity right from the first whistle."
That shouldn't be a problem for an Arizona State team that has been anxious to show the nation their exciting and unique brand of Lacrosse. Coach McCormack and his staff have had the chance to establish an identity and install their system on both sides of the ball, making this version of Sun Devil Lacrosse potentially the best one yet.
For the first time, the team was picked fourth in the Pac-12 Preseason Poll after previously never being picked higher than fifth. Every significant contributor from a team that went 5-3 and got off to the first 3-0 home start in program history returns hungrier than ever.
What can Sun Devil fans expect from the 2021 team?
"You are going to see highlight-reel goals, relentless defensive effort, and a strong chemistry within the team," Coach McCormack responded.
"We have a chance to really surprise people," Coach McCormack added. "This has been such a fun group to be around and they are ready to prove themselves."
*A reminder that all Sun Devil Athletics home events are closed to the public this year due to Pac-12 Conference COVID-19 policy.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Sun Devil Lacrosse's season opener against San Diego State will broadcasted live streamed via the Pac-12 digital network at the following link. Live stats will be provided and can be found here.
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.
Arizona State will open the 2021 season nearly a calendar year after the 2020 campaign was cut short, depriving fans of what was developing into an exciting first season under Head Coach Tim McCormack. The Sun Devils shift their focus from what could have been to what can be, as there is palpable optimism surrounding the program.
"This team has been working extremely hard and has the ability to take the program to the next level and accomplish our goals," Coach McCormack remarked. "Last season ending so abruptly really put things into perspective for us and as a result I have noticed a different attitude and focus this offseason."
The Maroon & Gold gets to showcase their improvement for the first time on Sunday at 1 pm MST when the San Diego State Aztecs come to town. It represents the fourth consecutive year that the two sides will have matched up, with San Diego State leading the series 2-1.
Arizona State put together an inspired performance on Senior Day back in 2019, defeating the Aztecs behind Emily Glagolev's nine-point performance for their lone win in the series. For her efforts, Glagolev would go on to win Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week.
The Sun Devils will be looking for revenge after battling SDSU in a back-and-forth, high-scoring game on the road last season that ended in a 19-18 Aztecs' win. Kerri Clayton was unstoppable, collecting six goals and three assists for her second-career 9+-point effort.
This year's Aztecs squad will come to Tempe familiar with the Pac-12, having already played two of the Sun Devils' conference foes. They split a pair of home games with No. 13 USC and Oregon, most recently defeating the Ducks 11-9 on Friday. They struggled with a high-powered USC offense, dropping their season opener 20-6 on Feb. 13.
Head Coach Kylee White enters her 10th season at the helm of the San Diego State lacrosse program, compiling a 69-73 record during that time. She built the Aztecs program from the ground up, leading them to three-consecutive double-digit win seasons prior to the shortened 2020 season. The offense has been led by Camdyn O'Donnell and Emily Resnick, who each have 5+ points through two games. Veteran Katy Sharretts, who has started 25 consecutive games for the Aztecs, will be the likely starter in goal.
"San Diego State is a challenging team to face and they have played two games already this season," Coach McCormack observed. "We will have to be ready to come out and match their fitness and intensity right from the first whistle."
That shouldn't be a problem for an Arizona State team that has been anxious to show the nation their exciting and unique brand of Lacrosse. Coach McCormack and his staff have had the chance to establish an identity and install their system on both sides of the ball, making this version of Sun Devil Lacrosse potentially the best one yet.
For the first time, the team was picked fourth in the Pac-12 Preseason Poll after previously never being picked higher than fifth. Every significant contributor from a team that went 5-3 and got off to the first 3-0 home start in program history returns hungrier than ever.
What can Sun Devil fans expect from the 2021 team?
"You are going to see highlight-reel goals, relentless defensive effort, and a strong chemistry within the team," Coach McCormack responded.
"We have a chance to really surprise people," Coach McCormack added. "This has been such a fun group to be around and they are ready to prove themselves."
*A reminder that all Sun Devil Athletics home events are closed to the public this year due to Pac-12 Conference COVID-19 policy.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Sun Devil Lacrosse's season opener against San Diego State will broadcasted live streamed via the Pac-12 digital network at the following link. Live stats will be provided and can be found here.
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.