(Photo: Ashling Filippi/ WCSN)
Arizona State Lacrosse gained its first Big 12 postseason win Thursday against Colorado. ASU outscored the Buffaloes 18-12 and it’ll move on to compete against Florida in the 2025 Big 12 Lacrosse Championships in the tournaments Inaugural season.
This is the third time in recent history that the Sun Devils have had success in the postseason. In 2022, the team reached the Pac-12 tournament championship game, and in 2024, they made it to the semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament. This season, they’re hoping to win a conference title for the first time in program history.
Traveling to Colorado, the Sun Devils faced frustrating conditions to start the tournament. The weather made sure to make itself known in the match-up. Adding to the anticipation of the postseason, players from both teams were not able to stay on their feet, it was a slippery slope.
Junior attacker from ASU, Jordyn Behar, had herself a game. Earning herself a staggering 12 points between her own four goals and assists on eight goals. Aside from being the player to gain the most points in this match, Behar also outscored everyone on her own team. In this post-season game, Behar’s 12 points earned her a new career high and a new program record for points in a single-game.
Sun Devil junior attackers, Lydia Oldknow and Teagan Ng, also contributed a hat-trick each. In addition to one of their senior captains, attacker Anna Thornton, who scored her fourth hat trick of the season. A usual standout for the program, senior goalkeeper Katie Vahle, recorded 11 saves. “Making saves in the cage,” some of those were in truly crucial moments, saving her team from losing their defensive momentum. ASU Head Coach Taryn VanThof Puls acknowledged how her players worked together for their common goal. Starting at sophomore midfielder Anna Viglione to Vahle between the posts
“I think it was a full team effort across the board.” VanThof Puls said. “From offensive production to Anna Viglione in the center and her circle team on draws, to defensively stepping up and playing some great two versus twos.”
Viglione was also just named the Big 12’s Draw Specialist of the Year. This award was also the single unanimous decision among voters for the player awards given. During this match she also reached a 200 draw control milestone for this season.
The Sun Devil offense and defense had both stepped up tremendously. At one point, the maroon and gold were able to score six goals uninterrupted within a short amount of time. Ahead of the competition, ASU focused on specific parts of their offensive play, tailored for their meeting with Colorado.
“We forced a lot early in the shot clock.” VanThof Puls commented. “Today was about focusing on the second and third looks instead of the first look and pumping it in. I think offensively, we found that rhythm.”
Towards the midway point of the final quarter, the Sun Devil defense was unable to keep the Buffaloes from taking shots that ultimately hit the back of the net. The Buffaloes had their longest uninterrupted scoring streak of the game during this time, scoring four goals before ASU freshman midfielder, Izzi Hammond, was able to score the final goal of the game. Leaving 29 seconds on the game clock.
The Sun Devil defense had a solid game. Specifically, redshirt junior defender Helen Park and junior defender Keeley Cleland who both stood out among ASU’s defense. By sticking to their game plan, they were able to successfully diminish multiple chances for the Buffaloes to enter the crease. Freshman defender Sierra Ryan also stood out. Due to her physicality, which earned her two green cards. As well as her ability to take the ball out of ASU’s defensive zone and bring it up to a point where the Sun Devil offense was able to take over the ball.
The teams both had plenty of opportunities that they created for themselves offensively to capitalize. Compared to their last matchup, both teams seemed more active on offense, at least in terms of shots taken. Colorado ended up taking the majority of the shots, 37. While the the maroon and gold weren’t too far back, taking a total of 32 shots.
As the Sun Devils prepare to compete against Florida, for the second time within a week, they hope to gain the title of Big 12 Lacrosse Champions. It will be a tough one. Florida is currently ranked number five in the country, whereas ASU is unranked. Just before the Sun Devils took down Colorado, Florida crushed UC Davis, winning 22-2. The winner of this matchup will be named the first-ever Big 12 Lacrosse Champions, as this game wraps up their inaugural season.
