Ng Makes History as ASU Dominates Niagara to Move Back to .500

TEMPE – A lot was on the line for Arizona State entering its sixth game of the season, both for its season and the program’s history.

Just days after junior midfielder Anna Viglione broke the school record for career draw controls, senior attacker Teagan Ng entered the game just five goals away from breaking ASU’s all time goal-scoring mark, set by attacker Kerri Clayton in 2021 as she finished her career with 146 goals.

While history was on the minds of many surrounding the Sun Devils, Ng’s shot at glory was not the only thing concerning ASU. After a disappointing loss to the University of Southern California last Saturday, the Sun Devils entered Thursday evening’s contest with a 2-3 record, creating a high pressure environment, as a loss would dig themselves an even deeper hole to climb out of.

ASU and Ng both achieved their goals.

The Sun Devils dominated both sides of the ball en route to a 17-7 victory over Niagara University on Thursday night, at Sun Devil Lacrosse stadium. The Sun Devils were in control for the full 60 minutes, imposing their will and washing any bad taste out of their mouths from Saturday’s outing.

Ng’s moment encapsulated the night for ASU, as she scored her fifth goal of the game to break the record with 6:12 to go in the second period, finding herself wide open in front of the net to extend the maroon and gold’s lead to 9-1.

“Was awesome to see the record get broken,” head coach Taryn VanThof said. “It means a lot to this program.”

While making school history is one thing, Ng’s seven point performance propelled her squad to a much needed win, as the Sun Devils believe their season is really just getting started.

“It’s a testament to the hard work they put in every day at practice to then execute on game day,” VanThof said.

While the 2026 campaign rolls on, ASU fans can remain confident in steady offensive production from Ng and company, but the defense, specifically goalkeeper, is where the Sun Devils woes have stemmed from so far.

The keeper carousel continued Thursday evening, but with a slightly different tune.

Sophomore Regan Spichiger got the start after replacing freshman Gabriella Henry in the second quarter of Saturday’s game, where she slowed down a Trojans team that had scored seven goals in the first 18 minutes of game-time against Henry.

Spichiger was a force in the net, only allowing five goals to the Purple Eagles in her three quarters of work and grabbing six saves in the process.

Henry did enter the game in the fourth quarter, putting up one of her better showings of the year, allowing two goals and recording one save of her own.

When asked about the current situation at goalie and if the sophomore was going to see more consistent starts down the line, head coach Taryn VanThof was vocal about Spichiger’s first quarter and what it did for the young keeper.

“I think it gave her that confidence boost that she needed to see,” she said.

While the goalkeeping took a step in the right direction, there wasn’t much that needed saving to begin with, as last weekend’s history maker continued her domination in the faceoff circle.

Viglione picked up right where she left off, picking up 21 draw controls, putting the ball in the hands of the offense and limiting any defensive stress for Spichiger and her defense.

ASU outshot Niagara 43-23 for the game much thanks to Viglione’s craft, a recipe that the Sun Devils look to replicate every time they hit the field.

A truly dominant performance when they needed it most, goals from nine different players kept every Sun Devil involved and focused until the last buzzer sounded.

ASU faces a quick turnaround, only getting two days off before another home tilt against Bucknell on Sunday, March 8.

While the break is quick, VanThof is confident that the momentum from such a complete performance will carry over.

“Huge team win… pretty consistent on all facets,” she said. “So we’re making sure we’re consistently playing at a high level of practice the next two days to go out and play a strong team.”