(Photo: Debbie Braasch/ASU Lacrosse)
The first three games of the season for ASU have seen its defense give up only 15 goals, an impressive feat considering the top-15 status of both Stanford and Minnesota-Duluth.
Assistant coach Todd MacRobbie says the hard play and the communication between the defense and the offense contributes to how well they defense has been playing.
“I think our best defense is our best offense and I’ve told our guys that,” said MacRobbie. He stressed how important good offensive play is as it correlates to how well the defense plays.
When the offense plays well, the defense is able to play well because there is less pressure and it becomes a mutual effort. If the offense is hit or miss, that is when the defense will have to pick it up for them. MacRobbie believes his defensive players know that, and they’re always try to push the offense to play their best.
“You score one, make one, take one, as they say,” MacRobbie said.
Addressing the fourth quarter of ASU’s last game, where UMD scored 4 goals, MacRobbie said it’s not an issue of stamina, but an issue of the defense playing a 55-minute game instead of a 60-minute game.
MacRobbie said the defense gets in a comfort zone and not having that instinct of “Hey I’m gonna put my foot on your throat and I’m not gonna let up until that final one is up or someone is tapping out.” Being able to execute a complete game will help the Sun Devils in achieving their goal of a national championship.
Although some late game goals were given up, the ASU defense continues to play solid games. With an immense game approaching against Chapman on Sunday, the defense will need to play a full game of complete defense in order to keep the Panthers’ offense at bay.
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