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Round of 32
Region 4: Team Accomplishments
No. 4 "Softball Makes Women's College World Series" vs. No. 5 "ASU Hockey Makes ACHA Semifinals"
The Case for Softball: Sure, Arizona State hockey blazed new trails this season but that doesn't mean we should knock our Lady Devils for being consistently terrific. In 2013, ASU softball made the Women's College World Series for the 11th time in program history and the seventh time in Clint Myers eight years at the university (see why Auburn scooped him up now?).
Yes, they may have went two-and-out for only the fourth time in the history of the program but the appearance itself has to count for something, right? If anything, we should be voting for this No. 4 seed to reward Clint Myers for all he's done at the program. With a 427-102 overall record and two national titles (2008 and 2011), Myers deserves to see his final season in the desert advance to the next round.
The Case for Hockey: This season, the Arizona State hockey team reached unprecedented heights for one of the nation's best up-and-coming programs. Under head coach Greg Powers, the Sun Devils achieved their first No. 1 overall ranking, won their first 18 games of the season, and knocked off an NCAA Division 1 opponent in stunning fashion. But perhaps the greatest accomplishment came in the ACHA Tournament, where the Sun Devils advanced further than ever before.
After blowing past Rutgers and Illinois in the first two rounds of the tournament, Arizona State found itself in uncharted territory. The Sun Devils made the National Semifinals and squared off against a perennial powerhouse in the Lindenwood Lions. After falling behind 4-1, the Sun Devils executed one of the most thrilling comebacks in tournament history to tie the game at four. Unfortunately, the Lions pulled away and advanced to the championship.
In making it to the semifinals and pulling in a top recruiting class yet again, Arizona State assured itself that the Sun Devils will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. At this point, coach Greg Powers has adopted the "National Championship or Bust" philosophy and its due in large part to the success of the 2012-2013 team.