(Photo: Reagan Smith/WCSN)
Arizona State Women’s Hockey is 4-0 to start the 2019-2020 campaign.
In what has arguably been the best start in program history, ASU has a +19 scoring differential.
The expectations with nine freshmen on any roster are understandably low due to lack of experience, but the Devils have shown they are no easy task.
Led by the dynamic top line of sophomores Kat Jones and Danielle Dupont, and freshman Andi Main, the Sun Devils were able to steamroll the CSU Rams and Denver Pioneers.
“We had a lot of energy last weekend,” Dupont said. “We saw how well we work together.”
In a 9-1 victory over CSU, Dupont hit the back of the net four times — a personal best in her young career. Jones and freshman forward Claire Walter each scored twice over the weekend as well. All three goalies had the opportunity to play during the weekend, with sophomores Landry Phelps and Macy Eide both having shutouts when they were in goal.
This weekend will be a different test against a local rival. GCU opens the season at home this weekend against the Devils.
ASU made a point of addressing what it thought was a big hole in its game this week.
“What we’re trying to work on is the pressure,” Jones said. “And treating practice like it’s the game.”
ASU played very well on the offensive end of the ice in the opening weekend of the season, but its one weakness has been its lack of pressure on both ends of the ice last season.
“I think we got better at it and it was noticeable,” Jones said.
Head coach Lindsey Ellis made it clear how important defensive pressure, in particular, will be for the coming weekend.
“Our entire defensive core is super important,” Ellis said. “I think we’re a little down about the scores of the Denver games, even though they were wins.”
Denver had a total of six skaters for the entire weekend and managed to score once. With GCU equipped with a full roster, ASU will have a stiffer task on the road.
The anticipation couldn’t be higher for the Devils going into the matchup.
“They’re super excited going into rivalry week,” Ellis said. “ I think both teams play the hardest against each other.”
GCU consistently plays at the bottom of the ACHA standings every year, but the Lopes always give the Devils a run for their money. Two of GCU’s four wins last season came against ASU on home ice.
Both games this weekend will be at AZ Ice Arcadia at 7:00 pm.
