(Niagara Falls, NY) Sun Devil Lacrosse (1-0) posted a dominant 15-9 victory over reigning MAAC Champions Niagara (0-1), despite the freezing temperatures and a sluggish start, junior attacker Jordyn Behar led the offense with six assists en route to the Sun Devils securing their seventh win in eight season openers.
Despite the slow start, head coach Taryn VanThof praised her team’s grit, “Lacrosse is a game of momentum. Katie (Vahle) kept us in tight moments in the first half and the team started to string scores together and came out explosive in the third,” noting her team’s 7-1 run spanning 15 minutes in the middle frames.
The Sun Devils were led by junior attacker Jordyn Behar whose career-high six assists were the most in a single game since 2022. Attackers Lydia Oldknow and Teagan Ng each recorded hat tricks to lead the offense, while Katie Vahle notched 13 saves on the defensive end.
How it Happened
Niagara jumped on the board first after a free position goal five minutes in, but ASU’s Teagan Ng recorded the team’s first goal of the season to even the game 1-1. Lydia Oldknow scored with a minute remaining, and Katie Vahle’s seven saves in the first quarter held Niagara to just one goal, and ASU led 2-1 after the first quarter.
The Sun Devils faced a 3-2 deficit in the second quarter, but managed to score three goals in the frame and held the lead until the clocks expired. Addie Shevitz and Jordyn Behar were the goal scorers in the second for ASU, and the Maroon & Gold held a 5-3 lead at the half.
ASU put up seven goals in the third quarter and gave up just one defensively. Ng (3), Oldknow, Kendal Morris, Claire Beucher, Berit Brookfield were the scorers in the third quarter. Behar assisted on four of the seven goals in the frame. The lone goal for the Purple Eagles in the third quarter came off of a free position shot.
Though Niagara outscored ASU 5-3 in the final frame, the deficit was too big and the Sun Devils walked away with the win. Both backup goalies made appearances for ASU in the fourth quarter.
Sun Devil Notables
27 players saw playing time for the Sun Devils today.
Jordan Behar’s career-high six assists were the most by a Sun Devil since April 17, 2022 when Emily Glagolev recorded five against Colorado. Behar was one assist shy of tying Glagolev’s program-record seven assists in a single game.
Behar also recorded eight points (2G-6A) which is a career high, and the most since Mina Scottachieved the feat on April 27, 2024 against UC Davis.
Lydia Oldknow extended her scoring streak to 20 games, dating back to the 2024 season opener.
Redshirt freshman Addie Shevitz and freshman Kendal Morris both netted the first goals of their career against the Purple Eagles.
Up Next
The Sun Devils will finish up the road trip against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, February 12 at 11 a.m. AZT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Claudia Schwartz
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