ASU Lacrosse: Top-10 teams clash in California as Sun Devils take on the Mustangs

(Photo: Jodi Vosika/ASU Lacrosse)

The No. 2 Sun Devils will be taking on No. 8 Cal Poly this Sunday in San Luis Obispo, Calif. as both teams look to remain perfect on the season.

Arizona State has looked very good to start the season as they have knocked out all opposition. Their most recent opponent was No. 24 UCSB on Saturday, which became something of a scare as the Sun Devils beat them by only 2 points with the final score being 9-7.

Cal Poly has also been off to a hot start with a 4-0 record and beating No. 16 Dominican University on Saturday. The Mustangs offense exploded, defeating the Penguins in blowout fashion 15-7.

“They are a solid team. Their ranking in the preseason did not do them justice,” ASU head coach Joe Thon said.

Both teams have held their opponents under double-digit goals in all of their contests played, a surprising mark for ASU after their last year’s championship-caliber defense dissipated.

What to Expect

Expect a very tight game. Both teams are stacked with talent that is experienced and game-ready. Look out for ASU attackman Dan Davis to take over the scoring for the Sun Devils as he has the capability to score at will. He started the year hot with seven goals in the team’s first two games, already on pace to top his career high of 59 goals.

This should be a game mainly dominated by defense. Cal Poly will come out of the gates fired up and could give ASU trouble offensively with their lockdown defense backed by captains Luke Willon and long-stick midfielder Chris Nespor. With the help of senior attacks Joseph Sergeant, who led the team with 53 points last year, and Anthony Varni who had ten goals in their first three games the Mustangs have the capability to be dangerous.

“They are big boys. It is going to take a lot of movement, a lot of ball control and patience offensively to break through their defensive package,” Thon added. “I’m confident in our guys I think that we have the discipline to run against them and we’ll see what happens on Sunday.”

Prediction

This will be each team’s toughest contest yet and it will come down to whoever plays a more complete game. No matter what, it will be a great game and we will see either team’s perfect season come to an end while a big ‘L’ on their schedule. Even with Cal Poly’s stellar defense and the Sun Devils squeaking by a mediocre UCSB team, it’s hard to imagine the Mustang offense being able to out-produce the Sun Devils. Arizona State 10, Cal Poly 8

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