ASU Women’s Lacrosse: Sun Devils claim first Pac-12 win in OT to split Bay Area trip

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

Arizona State got its first win in Pac-12 play, beating Cal on Sunday in an overtime thriller, 12-11, in the program’s first-ever overtime game.

“I’m tremendously proud of our girls’ effort on the field today,” said Martinez Connor. “They showed a lot of heart throughout the game. We had players step up at multiple positions when the time was needed which is what you like to see when a spark is needed.”

In a close first half, Cal scored four unanswered goals at one point and led 7-5 at the half.

The second-half was back-and-forth but ASU tied up the game at 9-9 with just over 10 minutes remaining. Cal went on a 2-0 spurt to take the lead again before Clayton and Fulkerson scored less than two minutes apart to knot the score at 11-11 and send the game into overtime.

Glagolev hit the back to seal the sudden-death victory for the Sun Devils after taking a pass from Kerri Clayton, handing the Sun Devils their first conference victory and overtime victory in program history.

Clayton finished with four goals, freshman Emily Glagolev and freshman Kylie Kroeger each bagged two, and freshman Graci Fulkerson, freshman Mandy Hunter, freshman Kate Dougherty and sophomore Carley Adams all collected one of their own.

Goalkeeper Sophia Thomas saved a career-high seven shots after taking over in the first half.

“Our goalkeeper Sophia Thomas did a good job stepping in for Berkeley Bonneau and played tough at such a crucial time in the game,” Martinez Connor added.

The Sun Devils started their Bay Area road trip on Friday, losing to No. 19 Stanford, 17-7. A second-half surge from ASU fell short against the Cardinal but showed promise against a ranked opponent.

“We made some changes and it showed in terms of fewer turnovers and on offense,” Martinez Connor said. “We’re starting to gel again and the second half was certainly proof of that.”

Clayton, Glagolev and Fulkerson all registered two goals apiece while freshman Maria Villanti added a goal of her own, the first of her career.

Thomas took over in the second half on Friday as well and had five saves.

The Sun Devils look to continue winning in Pac-12, as they return to Tempe to take on No. 19 Stanford again on Friday, March 30 at 5 p.m. and Cal Sunday, April 1 at noon.

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