ASU faces UC Davis in Big 12 action

As Arizona State Lacrosse (8-6, 1-1 Big 12) comes off tough back to back losses at home, they prepare to compete against a familiar team, the UC Davis Aggies (5-7, 1-1 Big 12).

Entering the game, a trio of seniors, UC Davis stood out in the Big 12 after their win against Butler. Attacker Grace Gebhardt, midfielder Ella Brislin, and goalkeeper Ally Richardson-Pepper all won Player of the Week in their respective positions.

Gebhardt was able to gain a career-high six goals in a game against Cincinnati before playing Butler, in the Butler game she recorded her seventh hat trick on the season. Aggies offensive powerhouse, Brisline, collected three goals, won four draw controls, and caused one turnover in the previous week. And Richardson-Pepper has recorded two games, back to back, with 14 saves. All the trio has accomplished, has aided in the Aggies securing their first win streak of the season. A contrast to going back and forth in the win-and-loss column.

UC Davis is on the opposite streak of the Sun Devils. They are entering the competition on a two game win streak as opposed to the Sun Devils two game losing streak.

Sun Devil Lacrosse has played UC Davis multiple times in the past. Going 4-0 against them. As ASU’s streak of being undefeated at home came to an end over the last two games, they are on the hunt for a win. UC Davis is also a more familiar competitor for the Sun Devils, since, like Colorado, they were in the Pac-12 before joining the Big 12.

Since ASU has a winning record the thought would be they are more likely to win, especially with the teams winning history against the Aggies. Along with the fact the Aggies are 1-4 at home.

Taking a look at the numbers, the Sun Devils average 14.8 goals per game while the Aggies average 12.4. The Sun Devils offense also takes significantly more shots on goal per game than UC Davis. ASU averages 23.6 shots on goal per game and the Aggies average 18.9 per game. ASU has currently played 14 games this year as opposed to UC Davis who has played just 12, but at the 12-game mark for the Sun Devils, they averaged 24.25 shots on goal per game and averaged 15 goals per game.

One distinct difference between the Sun Devils and the Aggies is that the Aggies have only played their current Big 12 goalkeeper of the week, Richardson-Pepper. While the Aggies do have another goalkeeper she hasn’t stepped on the field at this point. The Sun Devils have senior Katie Vahle as their starting goalkeeper who has been making big moves on the field. But ASU Head Coach Taryn VonThof Pulse has made it a point to have younger players get a shot on the field. Since Vhale is a senior, the position of starting goalkeeper next season is up for grabs.

The team’s goalkeeping situations aren’t very different from one another, as overall ASU’s goalkeepers average .450 saves percentage and overall the Aggies keeper has an average .452 saves percentage. The Aggies keeper also averages 13.75 goals allowed per game while the Sun Devils averaged 13.4 at the 14-game mark, and at the 12-game mark averaged 13 exactly.

The game will give a boost to whoever comes out on top. Either adding to the Aggies win streak, or giving ASU the momentum to win some more games while they still can.