Sun Devils topple Pittsburgh, remain unbeaten on the season

(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)

Despite being six days into the season, Arizona State women’s lacrosse has already broken records.

The Sun Devils started 3-0 for the first time in program history on Thursday night, as they beat Pittsburgh (1-1) 18-11 at Sun Devil Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium.

“We had a great start,” Arizona State head coach Taryn VanThof said. “Home advantage for that start. We go on the road next week, and we gotta keep it rolling.”

After both teams traded goals twice, graduate attacker Shannon Urey gave the Sun Devils the lead off the game’s fourth free-position goal with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter. This was the first goal of a 4-1 run that gave ASU a 6-3 advantage at the end of the first 15 minutes.

The Sun Devils extended their lead on a 5-0 run to start the second quarter until the Panthers’ second timeout. Pitt added one back with 2.5 seconds left in the half to give the Maroon and Gold a 11-4 edge at halftime.

However, the visitors seized momentum out of the break, forcing the hosts into physical situations. After Pittsburgh received the majority of the cards in the first half, ASU received more in the third quarter. After 45 minutes, the Panthers cut the Sun Devils’ advantage to five, trailing 13-8.

Nonetheless, the Maroon and Gold extended their lead before the final buzzer. With 2:52 remaining in the game, VanThof called a timeout with her team up five. Her side responded out of the stoppage with two goals to win the game by seven.

“We’re big on discipline,” VanThof said. “We talked a lot in our offense about how we respond. I think the girls responded well.”

ASU won a close shot battle 35-30, but dominated in terms of shots on goal. The hosts registered 28 while the visitors registered 17.

The Sun Devils also showcased their physicality on defense and at the center line. They forced 11 turnovers and notched seven CTs while only turning the ball over six times. Additionally, the girls from Tempe went 18-for-18 on clearances while Pittsburgh went 14-for-15. ASU also won the draw control battle 18-10.

Six Sun Devils recorded multi-goal performances. Urey and one bench player, junior attacker Anna Thornton, found the back of the net four times. Urey has now scored at least three goals in all three games, while Thornton produced her second four-goal outing of the season after only scoring once against Niagara on Sunday.

Senior attacker Mina Scott reprised her role from Sunday, getting a hat trick. One of those three goals was on a free-position shot while the other came from a man-up situation. Junior midfielder Berit Brookfield, sophomore attacker Teagan Ng, and graduate midfielder Katie Haley each scored twice.

“(They are) very balanced,” VanThof said about her offense. “They’re willing to share the ball. That’s exciting, because you’re getting to see them fire on all cylinders.”

Junior goalkeeper Katie Vahle also stepped up. After VanThof subbed her off in the second half during both games last weekend, the New Yorker was the only Sun Devil guarding the cage on Thursday night, saving six shots.

On the other side, Pittsburgh’s offensive production came from its non-starters, who netted six of the team’s 11 goals. Junior attacker Ava Washington and freshman midfielder Paige Telatovich, scored two goals each off the bench. Overall, 10 of the visitors’ bench players saw playing time while only four non-starters from the hosts appeared.

ASU goes on its first road trip of the season next week. It will face Stony Brook February 23 at 9 a.m. MST. While the Seawolves have not started their regular season, the matchup against the Sun Devils will be their third game in six days. VanThof wants her side to remain aggressive next week to continue its momentum from its unbeaten opening home stand.

“Possessions are everything, and we value that off the draw,” VanThof said. “We’ve gotta continue to win, help each other out, and value the ball.”