ASU wins first Big 12 matchup in program history

(Photo: Zina Garcia/WCSN)

After a game that resembled cat and mouse, ASU lacrosse beat Cincinnati in not just their first Big 12 game of the season, but their first Big 12 game in program history. The Sun Devils turned the game around after clinching a lead in the fourth quarter toward the end of a competitive game. With two hat tricks and one player who scored five goals alone in the second half, the Sun Devils (8-4, 1-0 Big 12) got a well-deserved 14-12 win over Cincinnati (7-6, 0-1).

After two losses, this win reminded the Sun Devils of how important it is to play for each other. Playing for each other and being a team is a big part of how these coaches want their players to play. This motivates players to work together and to push for the results they want. Senior attacker Anna Thornton seems to truly believe in this mindset.

“We wanted it really, really, really bad.” Thornton said. “We had a couple games where we weren’t doing it, and we kind of yelled at each other and got hype in the locker room together. Just to do it and have each other’s back and play together means so much.”

After the hard fought win Sun Devil head coach Taryn VanThof-Puls was proud of her team and shared how the team took a step back after two losses to remind themselves of who they are and what they play for. This mindset pushes for consistency from players.

“Give them hell Devils.” Van ThosPuls said. “Bring that consistency out on the field. Bringing that (mindset) back out is really important to us.”

Senior goalkeeper Katie Vahle was a big part of what kept the Sun Devils in the game, coming up with what proved to be some crucial saves. Vahle also recently broke the school’s record for most saves in a single season against Marquette. After defeating Cincinnati, Vahle has a record-breaking 597 saves. Vahle has shown over and over again this season that she is the best person for the goalkeeping job. With this being the Big 12 inaugural season, this season seems to mean a bit more to seniors.

“I think it’s huge.” Vahle said. “I mean, it’s the first Big 12 [season] in program history, so it’ll definitely go up in the record books. It’s an honor to be a part of it for sure.”

After winning the opening face-off, sophomore attacker Anna Viglione got the ball to junior Jordyn Behar who started the scoring for the Sun Devils less than a minute in. Since this was the first game in the Big 12, Behar was quick to take the title of the first Sun Devil ever to score in the Big 12. Not far behind her was Thornton who scored less than a minute later. Behar has proven to be beneficial to the Sun Devils offense.

“I think Jordan’s game is just sneaky, like you don’t see it like in every play, but she just keeps adding points and assists and goals time and time again.” Van ThosPuls said. “Which then at the end of the game, you’re like, oh my gosh, she really had eight points today. And so I think, like that sneakiness is just her demeanor and who she is. And so it’s fun to see her capitalize.”

A pattern from ASU this season has been that aggression comes out more in games where they may be more evenly matched or the game is very tight. Aggression coming out when there is a close game or tensions are high is normal. The tension in this game in particular was due to this being both team’s first game in the Big 12. It makes sense neither team wants to lose their first game in a new conference. The Sun Devils had been on a two-game losing streak with back-to-back road losses to Dartmouth and Marquette.

Sun Devil Lacrosse assistant coach and former Sun Devil player herself, Zoe Mazur was able to provide input on the competitive back-and-forth competitive nature. Specifically how these bursts where teams are scoring multiple goals within a short one to two-minute period occur from a former player and current coach perspective.

“I think it’s the grit from them.” Mazur said. “I think when we really do need them to lock in, they lock in, and then everyone’s building energy off each other. It’s capitalizing on our momentum when we have it.”

Junior attacker Teagan Ng had an impressive five goals in today’s game, bringing her up to 38 goals this season which keeps her as the Sun Devils top scorer. In addition to Ng, Behar and Thornton were both able to get hat tricks in the match, junior attacker Lydia Oldknow had two goals herself, and freshman midfielder Izzi Hammond scored once.

As a senior like Vahle, Thornton doesn’t take for granted how she is able to be part of the history her team is making.

“It’s awesome,” Thornton said. “Honestly, I think it’s really cool to like step into a completely different thing. And the Pac 12 was awesome, but it’s exciting to have this competition for our senior season.”

Similarly to the first quarter quick start, the Sun Devils came out of halftime and scored less than a minute into the half. This was a goal by Sun Devil junior attacker Teagan Ng. This was goal number 39 this season for Ng, who currently leads ASU in goals.

By the time Cincinnati had gotten their lead to 9-6 in the third quarter, Bearcat sophomore midfielder Hailey Joy Simpson had collected a hat trick. Despite the Sun Devils scoring first and gaining possessions off of face-offs, they weren’t able to grab ahold of a lead just yet.

The third quarter appeared to be the most lucrative part of the game on both sides. There were eight goals between the teams were scored in the first half, and in this quarter a total of ten goals were scored. The end of the second quarter score had Cincinnati ahead at 5-3. The end of the third quarter score was the Bearcats ahead of ASU 10-8.

The Sun Devils now prepare to host Maryland at the Sun Devil Lacrosse and Soccer Stadium on Thursday, April 3, at 12 p.m. AZT.