(Tempe, AZ) After five weeks on the road, Sun Devil Lacrosse (2-5, 1-1 Pac-12) won its first Pac-12 matchup of the season with a 12-9 victory over Oregon (3-5, 0-3 Pac-12) at Sun Devil Lacrosse Stadium. The Sun Devils were led by graduate captain Kaylon Buckner, who scored four goals alongside Katie Brodsky, Bella Ingrao, and Mina Scott who each scored two goals.
Friday afternoon’s victory is the sixth consecutive against Oregon and marked the first Pac-12 win for head coach Taryn VanThof.
“The team pulled through in momentous moments,” VanThof said. “I think that’s what we asked of them. There’s going to be highs and lows in the game and we came out on top by capitalizing on those highs.”
The weekend continues for the Sun Devils on Sunday, March 26 with a matchup at Sun Devil Lacrosse Stadium against Colorado at noon featured on Pac-12 Mountain. Arizona State will highlight mental health awareness this weekend. Prior to Sunday’s game the team will wear Morgan’s Message shirts.
NOTABLES:
14 saves for Katie Vahle, the most in a victory for the Sun Devils this season.
Katie Vahle reached 200 career saves.
Kaylon Buckner continues to lead the Sun Devils in goals (17).
Buckner tallied a woman-up goal.
Second highest shot-percentage of season (.522).
Mina Scott is on a four-game goal streak.
Bella Ingrao continues to shine in her sophomore season, extending her career high in goals (5).
Second most points from Sun Devils in a game (15).
Six different Sun Devils scored – Kaylon Buckner, Teagan Ng, Lydia Oldknow, Mina Scott, Bella Ingrao and Katie Brodsky
Mina Scott is two goals short of her career season high (10).
ASU started strong, shutting out the Ducks in the first period while jumping to an early 6-0 lead. Freshmen Lyida Oldknow and Teagan Ng each notched a goal while Bella Ingrao snagged two for the opening period. Buckner found the back of the net three times in the second period, continuing the Sun Devil offensive domination. Two goals in the final two minutes of the first half from ASU gave them a three goal lead with one half to go.
“We really just stuck together as a team,” Buckner said. “We were all on the same wavelength. The energy was amazing, the sideline was amazing. I think just all of those things come together as a team and it’s a team sport so we just gotta be together.”
The second half saw a comeback from the Ducks, but the Sun Devils rebounded at the end of the third period with two goals in the final seven seconds from Katie Brodsky and Mina Scott. ASU shutdown Oregon in the fourth, with Katie Vahle only allowing one goal.
Quotes:
Kaylon Buckner
On getting a win after a losing streak…
“It’s super exciting. I’m just really proud of the team today for getting the dub.”
How the team can carry on the momentum from this game to Sunday’s game…
“I think we take the good things and run with that. We reflect on things we need to work on and things we can clean up. I think our coaches will find those things and we’ll fine tune that. We’ll work on that tomorrow and come out Sunday with good energy and focus.”
Head Coach Taryn VanThof
On the keys to getting the win…
“We talked a lot about 50/50 balls and what that looks like and how we compete for them. I think in the first and fourth it really showed that those 50/50 balls won us the game.”
On Buckner’s scoring ability…
“Buck moved from the midfield for us to an attacking position and she’s excelling. In terms of confidence, she’s one of our leaders out there. She’s a captain and a fifth year so when the ball is in her hands, good things are going to happen.”
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Ryan McClure
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