ASU knocks off back-to-back MCLA champion CSU

(Photo: ASU Lacrosse)

Step aside, Colorado State. There’s a new king on the hill.

No. 1 Arizona State (6-0) defeated the No. 3 CSU Rams (4-2) in a back-and-forth battle, 5-4.

Less than a week after leaping over CSU in the rankings, ASU proved on the field that it belongs in that top spot. The Sun Devils will still need to prove their worth against Colorado on Saturday, but for now, the team can rejoice in having knocked off the MCLA’s most prominent current dynasty.

The game-winner came with 4:05 left in the 4th quarter, as Logan Quinn found the back of the net on an unassisted goal to give ASU a 5-4 lead.

Before that, it had been a back-and-forth exchange throughout. Neither team led by more than a goal at any point. Colorado State had a 4-3 advantage midway through the 4th quarter, after Jake Johnson was able to convert on a rebound opportunity.

ASU’s two unanswered goals from there on out proved to be the difference makers. The first of those two came just after the Johnson goal, as the Sun Devils’ two biggest midfielders connected on a Kyle Denis goal assisted by Cooper Pickell.

Before that point, it’d been a slow, defensive struggle. It was tied 2-2 at halftime, and both of ASU’s goals came within a quick span early in the second quarter as Dan Davis drained two, back-to-back.

Colorado State will look to bounce back from its back-to-back losses (the first of which was to BYU, 10-7) in the Hall-of-Fame Game against Cal in Berkeley, CA. They’ll have only a couple of days to make the turnaround, as that game will be played on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Arizona State will next play against No. 2 Colorado on Saturday at 1 p.m. That game will be live-streamed by Comcast. The winner of that game will likely be atop the polls once they’re released on Tuesday, so there will certainly be a lot on the line.

Check back later for reactions from players and coaches.

You can reach Trey Lanthier by email at treylanthier@gmail.com or on Twitter, @TreyLanthier.

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