Coming from a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to the Colorado Buffs on Sunday, the Devils head into their game against the Washington Huskies with spirits down.
The rain during the Colorado game provided some difficulty during game play which left the girls slipping and trying to compensate for the slick turf. Adding to the already apparent struggle, senior defender Mckenzie Grossman was carted off the field with an apparent head injury after colliding with two other players just outside the 18. The free kick to follow is what gave the Buffs their one and only goal of the game.
With their key defender coming off an injury, the Devils will need to step up and be sure their line stays strong against the offensive attack of the Huskies.
The Huskies are coming in after their third loss of conference play against Stanford. In their past three games, they’ve been held to only one goal while giving up 8. Their biggest threat to the Sun Devils is junior forward Shannon Simon. Simon has a total of 10 points, 5 goals, and 13 shots on goal.
The Sun Devils, who have seen much more aggressive competition in their previous games of the season, will find this team as a sort of relief as they have faced the stronger teams in the Pac-12 to begin their in-conference schedule.
More from Devils in Detail
- Sun Devils Primer: Game 2 vs Oklahoma State
- Sun Devil Insight: Quarterback Room
- Arizona State Spotlight: Kenny Dillingham
- Arizona State 2023 Season Opener: Off To A Good Start
- Arizona State vs USC Prediction and Promo (Expect Offensive Fireworks)
While things will need to adjust defensively, the offense has the opportunity to begin putting away goals and building up confidence to stride through the rest of the season.
Opportunities in and around the 18 need to be taken by forward Natalie Stephens. Stephens is hungry and still searching for her first goal of in-conference play and could have her chance today. With offense threat Jazmarie Mader putting pressure on the defensive line, she should be looking to slip one in through to Stephens and get on the board.
Fans should be hopeful to see if Larisa Staub will be in the starting lineup after her near game winning shot against the Utes last Thursday. Her aggressive style of play should provide enough to fluster the Huskie defensive line.
The fans also have yet to see an appearance from Aly Moon who’s been out since the Devils first conference game against the Bruins. The lack of presence from Moon on the field still seems to be apparent from the lack of goals scored and opportunities up top for the Devils.
Next: ASU Hockey Season Preview
The Sun Devils will be hoping they can get back on their feet and get their first conference win tonight against the Washington Huskies. The game is at Washington and begins at 4 p.m. live on Pac-12 Arizona.