Arizona State women's Division I club hockey kicked off the new season against its in-state rivals down south, the Arizona Wildcats, ultimately splitting the series in Tucson

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 2

From the start, neither team could find its rhythm. Midway through the first period, the Sun Devils couldn’t convert on two power-play opportunities, leaving both teams searching for the answer they needed. 

After a slow start, Arizona broke the ice with a goal from freshman defenseman Isabella Garland, putting pressure on a quiet ASU squad.

Minutes later, sophomore forward Anna Jeffs doubled the Wildcats’ lead on a shot that was originally saved, but trickled in off of sophomore goaltender Mya Glaister.

Despite being down by two goals, the Sun Devils responded, with freshman forward Taylor Bennett cutting the deficit to one heading into the third period and giving ASU life.

Nonetheless, sophomore forward/defenseman Kelzi Olson knotted the game two minutes into the third period, showing that no lead is safe against the Sun Devils. 

After ASU pulled even, Arizona responded with a wrister from junior forward Leila Schultz that crept under the glove of Glaister. 

Just a few minutes after the Wildcats took the lead, junior forward Kyly Laybolt netted the game-tying goal, sending this rivalry showdown to overtime. 

In the extra period, the Sun Devils put the game away with 31 seconds left in overtime, as junior defenseman Mara Draper sealed the victory with a shot through Sorlie's pads, giving ASU a 4-3 opening-night win.

Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 3

The Sun Devils looked to sweep their rivals in the second game of the series, but Arizona had other plans. 

Unlike Friday’s affair, the Wildcats controlled the pace the whole way, keeping the puck in ASU’s territory for most of the game. 

Thanks to the constant pressure, Arizona quickly took advantage of a disoriented Sun Devils defense, netting its first goal off a backhand shot from junior forward Grace McKeag. 

Even with the Sun Devils going on the power play with a chance to respond, the Wildcats kept their foot on the gas, with Arizona junior forward Kenzie Carson tallying a short-handed goal on a breakaway.

Without a doubt, the Sun Devils found chances to get back into the game, but often came up empty,  missing shots or sending pucks straight to Wildcat defenders.

Throughout the third period, the Wildcats held their ground.

The Sun Devils were held scoreless as Arizona hung on to win 2-0, splitting the series and snapping its nine-game losing streak to ASU. 

The Sun Devils dropped to (1-1-0-0) with two points in the Independent division, while Arizona improved to (2-2-1-0) with five points.

ASU returns home for its home opener Sunday, Oct. 4, against the University of Colorado for a one-game set to finish off the weekend.