(Photo: Jodi Vosika/ASU Lacrosse)
Senior Zack Handy is now considered a secret offensive weapon for Arizona State, but head coach Joe Thon likes to call his star face-off specialist “the shining light.”
The All-American face-off specialist has been on an offensive tear the past four games posting five goals and three assists including the game-winner against San Diego State last weekend.
“It was exhilarating,” Handy said. “My heart just stopped. I almost didn’t know how to react.”
When ASU was tied with SDSU at 14 with fifteen seconds left, Thon told Handy to score the game winner instead of his other offensive options.
“Why not?” Thon asked. “I had confidence in him and I wanted the game to be over so I just went up to him and said ‘stick one bud’ and slapped him on the butt and the rest is history.”
Although that goal stands as one of the best highlights of Handy’s career, it has not been the first time where he has scored when his team needed him.
He tied for a team-high two goals against No. 1 Grand Canyon University when ASU tried to down the top team in the country. When the Sun Devils were struggling in the first half against Texas, it was Handy’s goal in the beginning seconds of the second period to give the Sun Devils the momentum to carry them to a 16-2 win.
“It is just coincidental that it comes when we need it, I am just trying to get the ball to our offense,” Handy added. “The fact of the matter is most teams don’t think I can shoot.”
Handy has forced teams to learn the hard way that he can be dangerous not only in the face-off game but also on the attack. He has set career highs in goals and points and is not close to being done.
With Handy finding his offensive rhythm it just gives defenses another player to worry about as they already have to defend a championship caliber offense. As in-state rival University of Arizona is knocking on the ASU’s door this weekend, expect a tight game and Handy to come in the clutch.
