TEMPE, Ariz. - Stanford won the Pac-12 Tournament on Saturday by defeating No. 23 ASU 18-12. The Cardinal earned an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament by claiming the conference tournament title.
This marks the second time in four opportunities since the inception of Pac-12 lacrosse that Stanford has won both the Pac-12 tournament and regular season titles. It's also the 14th time in program history that Stanford has won both its conference regular season and conference tournament title.
The Cardinal erupted out of the gates, firing home seven goals in the first period alone while holding the hosts to only two. Annabel Frist picked up right where she left off after Thursday's game, scoring a hat trick in the first quarter while Ali Baiocco and Ailish Kelly each chipped in a pair of goals.
Frist led all scorers on the day, tallying six goals after scoring seven in the previous game against Oregon. Her impressive performances over the Pac-12 tournament earned her a spot on the Pac-12 all-tournament team.
Baiocco and Kelly weren't far behind Frist on the score sheet, however. They both netted five strikes against the Devils to tie for second on the team in goals.
Kelly's dominant tournament run earned her the Pac-12 tournament MVP award, as well as a spot on the Pac-12 all-tournament team alongside Frist.
Baiocco's five strikes moved her season total to 61, making her the first Stanford lacrosse player to ever surpass the 60-goal mark in a season. She now sits atop the all-time single season leader board at Stanford with at least one more game to play.
ASU fought to remain in the game in the second quarter, scoring four goals to Stanford's three. Baiocco and Jay Browne each found the back of the net in the second period before the Devils rattled off three straight.
The Cardinal defense held strong, however, while the offense continued to fire in goals. Stanford scored more goals than the Devils in both the third and fourth periods.
Kara Rahaim posted 11 saves on the day, successfully stifling a potent ASU attack that took down no. 16 USC on Thursday. The Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year also corralled nine ground balls and earned herself a place on the Pac-12 all-tournament team for her performances over the last three days.
Ashley Humphrey led the Cardinal in points in emphatic fashion. The assist maestro dished a Stanford record nine assists against the Devils, one more than the record she set earlier this season. She also fired in a goal to bring her point total to 10.
Humphrey's impactful play and impressive stat line of 14 assists and three goals earned her a spot on the Pac-12 all-tournament team as well, bringing the total to four Cardinal selections.
Galen Lew continued her successful season involved in the draw by bringing in 6 draw controls against ASU. Her season total now sits at 66, the sixth most draw controls in a season by a Cardinal lacrosse player.
To go along with her goal in the second quarter, Jay Browne also tossed two assists in Tempe on Saturday. Her 17 assists this season has her sitting eighth in the conference in total assists.
Stanford will learn their NCAA tournament destination tomorrow night during the NCAA lacrosse selection Sunday event. ESPNU will unveil the women's tournament 29-team field and bracket during the Women's and Men's NCAA Lacrosse Selection Show on Sunday, May 8 at 6 p.m. PT.
