NIAGARA FALLS– Arizona State Lacrosse kicks off their 2025 slate on the road against Niagara, a team posted a 14-2 record and appeared in the NCAA Tournament last season. The game against the Purple Eagles is slated for Sunday, February 9 at 11 a.m. AZT and can be viewed on ESPN+.
The two teams have faced off nine times in program history, with ASU holding the 6-3 edge. Two of the three ASU losses came in the first two meetings between the teams, though the most recent loss to the Ducks came last season in Eugene and halted the six-game win streak by the Sun Devils.
Sun Devil Outlook:
The Maroon & Gold return their leading goal scorer, junior Lydia Oldknow, who notched 48 goals last season. ASU recorded the 8th-most draw controls per game last season with the help of Zoe Mazur and Anna Viglione, and return now-sophomore Anna Viglione, who was voted the Big 12 Preseason Draw Control Specialist of the Year by the conference coaches.
ASU ended their 2024 campaign placing third in the Pac-12 Tournament after defeating Oregon in the opening round, but falling to Stanford in the semifinals. To open the 2025 season, ASU was picked to finish third in the Big 12 Coaches Poll.
Scouting the Opponent:
Niagara received votes in the final IWLCA poll of 2024 after winning the MAAC, and advancing to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, though the Purple Eagles fell 19-7 to Stony Brook to end their postseason run.
In 2024, Niagara posted an impressive 7-1 record at home. The only loss came to No. 19 Fairfield.
Sun Devil Notables:
How to Follow:
Fans can keep up with all the live action and news of Sun Devil Lacrosse by following @SunDevilWLax on Instagram and Twitter/X, and Sun Devil Women's Lacrosse on Facebook. Fans can purchase tickets here to attend all Sun Devil Lacrosse events.
The two teams have faced off nine times in program history, with ASU holding the 6-3 edge. Two of the three ASU losses came in the first two meetings between the teams, though the most recent loss to the Ducks came last season in Eugene and halted the six-game win streak by the Sun Devils.
Sun Devil Outlook:
The Maroon & Gold return their leading goal scorer, junior Lydia Oldknow, who notched 48 goals last season. ASU recorded the 8th-most draw controls per game last season with the help of Zoe Mazur and Anna Viglione, and return now-sophomore Anna Viglione, who was voted the Big 12 Preseason Draw Control Specialist of the Year by the conference coaches.
ASU ended their 2024 campaign placing third in the Pac-12 Tournament after defeating Oregon in the opening round, but falling to Stanford in the semifinals. To open the 2025 season, ASU was picked to finish third in the Big 12 Coaches Poll.
Scouting the Opponent:
Niagara received votes in the final IWLCA poll of 2024 after winning the MAAC, and advancing to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, though the Purple Eagles fell 19-7 to Stony Brook to end their postseason run.
In 2024, Niagara posted an impressive 7-1 record at home. The only loss came to No. 19 Fairfield.
Sun Devil Notables:
- Junior attacker Lydia Oldknow scored a goal in every game last season and rides a 19-game scoring streak into this season.
- The Sun Devils had two new coaches join their staff: Danille Pavinelli and Zoe Mazur, both of which played under head coach Taryn VanThof at some point in their careers. Both Mazur and Pavinelli were in the class of '24.
- The 2025 slate for the Sun Devils features six opponents that ASU has not faced in program history.
- Lydia Oldknow, Helen Park, and Bella Ingrao were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, as voted on by the coaches.
How to Follow:
Fans can keep up with all the live action and news of Sun Devil Lacrosse by following @SunDevilWLax on Instagram and Twitter/X, and Sun Devil Women's Lacrosse on Facebook. Fans can purchase tickets here to attend all Sun Devil Lacrosse events.