Arizona State to Face Stanford in Pac-12 Lacrosse Title Game

TEMPE, Ariz. - Sun Devil Lacrosse gets ready to compete in their first ever Pac-12 Tournament Championship game, taking place at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium on Saturday at 12 PM MST.

A Pac-12 Tournament title and automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament is on the line, as No. 23 Arizona State (11-7, 7-3) matches up with No. 17 Stanford (11-6, 8-2) in the biggest conference game of the season. The Sun Devils are on fire as of late, coming into the game having won seven of their last eight. That includes two victories in two days to start the tournament, as they attempt to become the first Pac-12 team to win three games in four days.

Head Coach Tim McCormack and his team will have the benefit of the home crowd, which has been a huge factor through the first two rounds. Make sure you get your tickets to the Pac-12 Championship Game, which can be purchased at SunDevilTickets.com.

"Our support the entire season has been outstanding," Coach McCormack remarked. "From the very start in Michigan, to the end here in Tempe, the Sun Devil Lacrosse fans have made a difference for us wherever we go."

The Sun Devils are one game away from clinching a spot in the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament, but they sit in a terrific position regardless. They moved up to No. 24 in the RPI thanks to a massive win over USC, giving ASU two Top-20 wins on their resume, both of which have come on the road or in a neutral setting. A second win over a Top-25 Stanford team would only enhance Arizona State's postseason resume, one highlighted by their No. 12 overall strength of schedule and rated No. 1 non-conference slate.

The 2022 Sun Devil Lacrosse team is attempting to become only the second in the history of Sun Devil Athletics to win a Pac-12 Tournament Championship (2002 Sun Devil Women's Basketball).

KNOW YOUR FOE
If Arizona State is to claim the Pac-12 Tournament Championship, they are going to have to earn it. The Stanford Cardinal present many challenges, highlighted by their prolific offense. Attackers Ali Baiocco, Annabel Frist, and Ashley Humphrey were productive in their semifinal win over No. 5 seed Oregon yesterday. The Cardinal won 21-9 to move to 11-6 on the season and advance to their third Pac-12 Tournament Championship Game.

The two sides split the season series and are very familiar with each other, with both coaches having spent time on staff at Northwestern. Back on April 8th, the Maroon & Gold finally got over the hump, defeating Stanford for the first time. Arizona State proved to be the better team from the opening draw, outscoring the then-No. 22 Cardinal each of the four quarters en route to an impressive 18-11 victory.

LAST TIME OUT
Sun Devil Lacrosse picked up one of the biggest wins in program history, defeating No. 16 USC in the Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament semifinals on Thursday. No. 23 Arizona State (11-7, 7-3) proved to be the better team in the ranked matchup, outlasting the Trojans despite having just played a game the day before. The impact of Assistant Head Coach for Sports Performance Pete Alosi and Head Athletic Trainer Caitlyn Blanton was on full display, as the Maroon & Gold bounced back with fresh legs and plenty of gas still in the tank. In an instant classic, the Sun Devils pulled off a massive 13-12 victory to clinch a berth into the 2022 Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament championship game thanks to a vital 3-0 fourth quarter run.

Coach McCormack and his staff learned from the two regular season matchups with the Trojans, constructing a gameplan that attacked the weaknesses of the Trojans, Even with the return of All-American Kelsey Huff to the USC lineup, Arizona State still managed to pull off the victory against the highly-touted No. 2 seed and co-Pac-12 Regular Season Champions.

SUN DEVILS FOR LIFE
The Sun Devil Lacrosse program prides itself on being a family and no more is that evident than in the crowd at the Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament. Several alumni have made the trip to Tempe to cheer on their alma mater, while others have altered life plans to get to the championship game. Hear from a few of the Sun Devils for Life that are a big reason why this moment was possible:

Berkeley Bonneau, Goalkeeper (2018-21)
"I was sitting in my hotel room watching the game on my computer getting goosebumps screaming and cheering by myself. I am traveling for work and wasn't originally planning  on going to the Pac-12 Championship. But last night, I told my work I have to go…So I bought a ticket. I am so incredibly proud of this team. Every single person on the team this year has worked extremely hard and fought to get where they are . I know they are going to shine like diamonds on Saturday. I can't wait to be there in person to watch it!"

Kerri Clayton, Attacker (2018-21)
"I couldn't be more proud of this team and sun devil lacrosse. The atmosphere has been amazing the last couple of days and can't wait to watch them ball out again on their own turf"

Kristina Coppinger, Defender (2018-20)
"I can hardly put into words how proud I am of this team. This accomplishment has been years in the making and has been made possible by every player, every trainer, every admin and the coaching staff. Incredibly proud to be a Devil! FORKS UP!!"

Rachel Gregory, Defender (2018-19)
"The growth that this program has shown since my departure has been absolutely incredible. I'm so proud of these girls, and the legacy they are building. It truly brings tears to my eyes to reflect and see how far they've come as individuals and as a program. Sun Devil Lacrosse has only just scratched the surface of what they are capable of, and I look forward to watching them continue their journey to the top." 

SUN DEVILS IN THE RANKINGS
Arizona State is currently ranked in the Top-25 in one of two major national polls, the fifth straight week they have been ranked. This is the first instance in which ASU stayed in five consecutive Top-25's and most times in a season they have been ranked. Inside Lacrosse/IWCLA slot the Sun Devils at No. 23 in their latest polls, matching the highest spot ever occupied by the program. ASU is also receiving votes and on the cusp of cracking the most recent U.S. Lacrosse Magazine Top-20. 

Head Coach Tim McCormack has challenged his team with an extremely difficult schedule and it has paid off, as the Sun Devils are looked upon favorably in two key metrics. Arizona State has the No. 12-rated strength of schedule having played nine Top-25 teams through 16 games. Because of their success in those game, Arizona State has a RPI of 24, which continues to climb down the stretch. No team in the country played a tougher non-conference schedule in the nation than the Sun Devils according to Lax Reference.

QUALITY WINS
Coach McCormack's team has a fearless mentality, unafraid of high pressure situations or hostile environments. Despite playing the 12th-toughest schedule in the nation, Arizona State is 11-7 and has defeated four ranked teams. The resume of the Maroon & Gold includes several impressive wins that will prove to be a huge boost come postseason time.

March 13th - Arizona State 20, #23 Colorado 6
Arizona State took control of the game early and never looked back, overwhelming the ranked Buffaloes during an 8-0 second period. The 14-goal margin of defeat was the largest in the nine-year history of the Colorado program. They claim their second win over a Top-25 team as a program, doing it in impressive fashion. 

April 3rd - Arizona State 13, @ #14 Rutgers 12 (OT)
Sun Devil Lacrosse earned a dramatic comeback victory on the road over No. 14 Rutgers. They pick up their first victory over a Top-15 opponent in program history, handing the highly-touted Scarlet Knights only their second loss of the season. Carley Adams scored the game-winning goal in the first sudden death overtime period, sending the strong contingent of Sun Devil fans that had made the trip into a frenzy.
 
ASU was down by as many as four goals at several points of the game in less than ideal weather, but showed resiliency and toughness in mounting a valiant comeback effort. Arizona State was responsible for the final three goals of the game, stunning the home crowd and earning the program's first victory over a Big Ten opponent.
 
April 8th - #25 Arizona State 18, #22 Stanford 11
Sun Devil Lacrosse finally got over the hump, defeating Stanford for the first time. Arizona State proved to be the better team from the opening draw, outscoring the No. 22 Cardinal each of the four quarters en route to an impressive 18-11 victory. Now that Head Coach Tim McCormack has defeated Stanford, his program has now beaten all five Pac-12 opponents. In a matchup of Top-25 teams, the No. 25 Sun Devils controlled the action in front of a lively home crowd.

The Maroon & Gold backed up a road win over No. 14 Rutgers with a second straight Top-25 victory, the first time the program has accomplished the feat.

April 17th - #23 Arizona State 16, @ Colorado 8

Arizona State had never won in Boulder, but that changed in a big way on April 17 thanks to a complete and focused effort. The Sun Devils jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back, utilizing a balanced attack and aggressive defense to overwhelm the Buffaloes from the opening whistle. ASU took the home crowd out of the game as Colorado never got back within four goals, with the Maroon & Gold eventually establishing a running clock thanks to a double-digit lead.

May 5th - #23 Arizona State 13, #16 USC 12
Sun Devil Lacrosse picked up one of the biggest wins in program history, defeating No. 16 USC in the Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament semifinals. No. 23 Arizona State (11-7, 7-3) proved to be the better team in the ranked matchup, outlasting the Trojans despite having just played a game the day before. The impact of Assistant Head Coach for Sports Performance Pete Alosi and Head Athletic Trainer Caitlyn Blanton was on full display, as the Maroon & Gold bounced back with fresh legs and plenty of gas still in the tank. In an instant classic, the Sun Devils pulled off a massive 13-12 victory to clinch a berth into the 2022 Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament championship game thanks to a vital 3-0 fourth quarter run.

Coach McCormack and his staff learned from the two regular season matchups with the Trojans, constructing a gameplan that attacked the weaknesses of the Trojans, Even with the return of All-American Kelsey Huff to the USC lineup, Arizona State still managed to pull off the victory against the highly-touted No. 2 seed and co-Pac-12 Regular Season Champions.

COACH OF THE YEAR
Sun Devil Lacrosse Head Coach Tim McCormack was selected as the Pac-12 Coach of the Year for the second straight season, the conference announced as part of their postseason awards. The award is voted on by the other coaches in the league, with McCormack impressing his peers by taking Sun Devil Lacrosse to new heights. He was the first Arizona State Head Coach to win the award this academic year. McCormack joins a list of the best coaches to ever call Tempe home, as the 78th Sun Devil since 1979 to earn conference coach of the year honors.

McCormack was also the only ASU Head Coach to receive the award last year, as he took home 2021 Pac-12 Coach of the Year. This makes him one of only 15 head coaches in the history of Sun Devil Athletics to win back-to-back conference coach of the year honors. He is the first to accomplish the feat since Zeke Jones was named Pac-12 Wrestling Coach of the Year in both 2017 & 2018. Included on this exclusive list are legendary head coaches Linda Vollstedt, Jim Brock, John Spini, and Greg Kraft.

PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP IN TEMPE
Arizona State has hosted an extremely popular Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament, with the event attracting excellent crowds for all four game so far. Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium is no stranger to hosting major events, but this is the first postseason lacrosse action ever in Tempe. The Sun Devil Athletics and Pac-12 Conference Staff have teamed up to put on a championship-worthy showcase of the sport, with a title to be awarded tomorrow afternoon.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Every game of the 2022 Pac-12 Lacrosse Tournament be featured live on Pac-12 Networks and the Pac-12 Now App. More information can be found at the tournament central page. For in-game updates, follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWLax). Like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sundevilwlax/) for content throughout the season. Visit our website, TheSunDevils.com, for the latest updates and information on the program.