CARSON, CA. – Despite senior goalkeeper Katie Vahle's career-best 18 saves, Sun Devil Lacrosse (3-2) could not mount the upset over No. 22 USC. The back-and-forth action eventually resulted in a 16-14 defeat on Monday at Dignity Health Sports Park.
After facing eight ranked opponents in 2024, the Trojans were just the first ranked opponent thus far this season. ASU has not defeated a ranked opponent since taking down No. 16 USC on May 5, 2022.
How it Happened:
After allowing USC to jump out to a 3-1 lead early in the first frame, goals from Jordyn Behar, Addie Shevitz, and Izzi Hammond had ASU down 5-4 to end the quarter. ASU's seven draw controls and four saves in the frame kept the game close.
In the second quarter, ASU held USC to their lowest-scoring quarter, but a slow offensive frame for the Sun Devils who netted just two goals made it an 8-6 deficit at the half.
The third quarter was a quarter of runs. The Trojans went on a 4-0 run after an ASU goal opened the quarter. Their lead was pushed to five, but four straight goals from the Sun Devils on the other end allowed ASU to face just a one-goal deficit after the third. Four different Sun Devils found the net during the team's run.
To open the fourth quarter, USC again scored four straight goals to extend their lead back to five in the 16-11 game. The Sun Devils kept fighting, eventually scoring the last three goals of the game, however the 16-14 score stood final.
Sun Devil Notables:
Up Next:
The Sun Devils will compete at home for the second time this season on Saturday, March 1 against St. Joseph's. The game is slated to start at 12 p.m. AZT and will not be streamed, however, live stats will be available on Stat Broadcast.
After facing eight ranked opponents in 2024, the Trojans were just the first ranked opponent thus far this season. ASU has not defeated a ranked opponent since taking down No. 16 USC on May 5, 2022.
How it Happened:
After allowing USC to jump out to a 3-1 lead early in the first frame, goals from Jordyn Behar, Addie Shevitz, and Izzi Hammond had ASU down 5-4 to end the quarter. ASU's seven draw controls and four saves in the frame kept the game close.
In the second quarter, ASU held USC to their lowest-scoring quarter, but a slow offensive frame for the Sun Devils who netted just two goals made it an 8-6 deficit at the half.
The third quarter was a quarter of runs. The Trojans went on a 4-0 run after an ASU goal opened the quarter. Their lead was pushed to five, but four straight goals from the Sun Devils on the other end allowed ASU to face just a one-goal deficit after the third. Four different Sun Devils found the net during the team's run.
To open the fourth quarter, USC again scored four straight goals to extend their lead back to five in the 16-11 game. The Sun Devils kept fighting, eventually scoring the last three goals of the game, however the 16-14 score stood final.
Sun Devil Notables:
- Senior goalie Katie Vahle notched a career-high 18 saves in Monday's performance. She tied her previous career-high 16 saves in the loss to Denver on Friday.
- The NCAA's saves leader is now Katie Vahle, whose 59 is six more saves than the next closest goalie.
- Vahle is chasing the program's career save mark, and is now 40 saves away from tying Berkeley Bonneau's program record of 576 saves.
- Junior attacker Lydia Oldknow was held without a goal against USC despite taking a team-high nine shots. Her 23-game scoring streak dating back to the 2024 season opener ended today.
- Junior attacker Jordyn Behar continues to rack up the saves this season after five more today. She holds the team lead with 21 assists and averages 4.2 assists per game, the second best mark among active players in the NCAA.
- Behar's 21 assists this season has her in the program's record books at 9th all-time.
- Redshirt Freshman attacker Addie Shevitz recorded her second hat trick in as many games.
- ASU tied their season high with 20 draw controls. The team previously saw 20 against Detroit Mercy on February 15.
Up Next:
The Sun Devils will compete at home for the second time this season on Saturday, March 1 against St. Joseph's. The game is slated to start at 12 p.m. AZT and will not be streamed, however, live stats will be available on Stat Broadcast.