Fast start guides Sun Devils to victory over Niagara

(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)

After finishing 6-13 last year, the Arizona State women’s lacrosse appears to have found their winning groove in 2024.

Following a 21-10 victory over Xavier on Friday, the Sun Devils (2-0) beat Niagara (1-1) 17-10 at Sun Devil Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium on Sunday morning. The victory marked the first time the Maroon and Gold started the season 2-0 since 2021.

“We started out on fire, and that’s what we said in the locker room,” Arizona State head coach Taryn VanThof said. “It had to be from the first whistle. Our first game was on Friday, and it took us a little bit to get into it. Today, they put the pedal to the metal.”

The Sun Devils seized momentum on the opening draw and scored the first goal 40 seconds later from junior midfielder Berit Brookfield. This started a 6-0 run, which lasted until Niagara’s first timeout.

With ASU leading 9-0, Niagara added its first goal with 58 seconds left in the first quarter. But VanThof’s side started the second quarter with two goals, forcing a running clock for the remainder of the half. The Sun Devils headed back to the locker room up 13-3.

Although the hosts pushed the lead to 11, the visitors scored the next two goals. With both sides trading goals, the Purple Eagles suceeded in erasing the running clock until the fourth quarter. Niagara finished the game on a 4-1 run in the last seven minutes. But it was not enough to pull off the comeback.

Despite the result, the visitors won the shot battle 27-26. But the victorious hosts won the shots on goal battle 23-22.

ASU dominated early in the midfield, winning 19 draw controls compared to the Purple Eagles’ 12. This included winning all draws in the game’s first eight minutes, led by graduate midfielder Zoe Mazur.

“Momentum’s everything, right?” VanThof said. “Zoe Mazur out on the draw kept winning and winning. That’s what we need to do in those moments.”

They also won the free-position shot battle. While both teams had nine attempts, the Sun Devils converted on five while the Purple Eagles made one.

Three Sun Devils recorded at least a hat-trick. Sophomore attacker Lydia Oldknow reprised her role from Friday, potting four goals, with three coming in the first quarter. This weekend showed the Virginian’s increased production after she didn’t scoring more than two goals in a game last season.

“I think she’s gained a ton of confidence, but she’s now willing to dodge,” VanThof said. “Her dodge is setting her up in two different ways. Now, she’s not just a feeder. She has the ability to put the ball in the cage.”

Graduate attacker Shannon Urey followed her five-goal performance against Xavier with three goals on Sunday morning. The Mercer transfer scored in each of the first three quarters. Senior attacker Mina Scott also scored three goals. She potted two off free-position shots and clinched the hat-trick while the Sun Devils were a man up.

But the best scoring performance went to Niagara’s graduate attacker Lois Garlow, who found the back of the net six times. That performance tied a career high for Garlow, who is in her fifth season with the Purple Eagles.

VanThof gave 16 of her bench players time on the field throughout the game, especially towards its end.

This included the backup goalkeepers, who combined for over 23 minutes between the cages. Senior Flynn Murphy played for 14:51 and freshman Sara Flobeck played for 8:39. Flobeck defended the Purple Eagles’ late barrage, saving seven shots, which is more than the six shots Niagara saved in total.

The bench also contributed to the attack, with three non-starters scoring a goal. Starring in that category was junior Anna Thornton, who also added two assists. The New Yorker has provided valuable production off the bench, as she totaled five points in Friday’s game.

The Sun Devils return to action Thursday night as they host Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. MST at Sun Devil Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium. In order to start 3-0 for the first time in program history, VanThof’s group looks to add to this weekend’s momentum.

“I think we played well in the first half of this game, and kind of slacked a little bit in the second,” VanThof said. “I really would love to see us come together and put a full 60 minutes.”