Even for the closest of friends, space is usually a necessity. A moment away for an individual and collective peace of mind. To still get some coveted me time.
Not for senior attackers Jordyn Behar, Lydia Oldknow and Teagan Ng. The trio serves as the spearhead of ASU lacrosse's attack.
"When you're playing with people that you love, and you want to see them succeed, and they want to see you succeed, and you work together, it's the most fun," Behar said.
On top of their regular practices, they also live together. Do homework together. Watch shows together. And they've done so for four years.
"We're together 24/7," Behar said.
That relationship outside the field has produced a deeper, more potent connection on the field. One that's been pivotal to their accolades during their Sun Devil careers. A journey that is soon coming to a close.
For all three of them, this season marks the conclusion of a run that saw each produce a historic career in the desert. Along with their own success, collectively they've helped the program reach new heights, reaching the Big 12 Championship game last year.
At the heart of that success is something that goes beyond the field. The three share a special bond. A friendship that was born as soon as they met each other.
It allows them to play the game cohesively. To understand what the other is going to do without needing to speak. It produces a fluid product, with each working alongside each other's instincts.
"It's cool that it translates to the field," Oldknow said. "We know what we're doing on the field, so it definitely helps having that connection."
The three share very different roles within the offense. Behar is the playmaker. In her junior season, she finished with 65 assists, on the way to becoming the first player in program history to score more than 100 points in a season.
She serves as the highest point of the Sun Devil attack, often positioning herself behind the goal. When she receives the ball, her goal is to deliver service into the space directly in front of the net. Usually, it's Oldknow or Ng on the receiving end.
"I feel like I can definitely tell where these two are going to go before they get there," Behar said.
Then, it's their job to finish it. In Ng's junior year, she shattered the previous record for goals in a single season, her 70 being 12 more than the previous record. Both she and Oldknow have scored over 170 goals in their careers, making them the top two goal scorers in Sun Devil history.
The best part — they get to do it together.
"It's cool to have so many goals and be at the top and go back and forth," Oldknow said. "It's cool to do it with one of my best friends."
Their spark came long before they ever donned the maroon and gold. The first time they ever met on their official visit, followed by them settling into their shared dorm, an instant friendship was born.
It's now gone beyond just the three of them.
"It's also cool to see our parents have such a great connection," Oldknow said. "Like they text all the time, they come out here, it's like they've known each other forever. I feel like I've known these girls forever, and it's only been four years, and these four years have gone by so fast."
Even when they aren't suited up in Tempe, they find a way to still spend time together.
"Every summer we just find ways to just stay with each other," Ng added. "I think that's the best part."
Before their game against UC Davis on April 11, the trio knew the monumental moment ahead of them. It wouldn't serve as just any other game.
Rather, it would be their last time in front of their home crowd, to play at home with their families in the stands. Senior day.
"It's bittersweet," Oldknow said. "It's definitely really exciting, but emotions are definitely going to be high."
Each of them responded. Behar finished the game with five assists and two goals, leading the way with seven points. Right behind were Oldknow and Ng, who both totaled five points. Oldknow scored three while assisting twice, while Ng scored a team-high five goals.
Now, with two games remaining until the start of the Big 12 tournament, they are set on one final mission before their time as Sun Devils comes to a close. To eclipse the one mountain top they've yet to conquer.
To win the program's first-ever Big 12 Championship.
"We just want to do as good as we possibly can and finish with no regrets," Ng said.
As they prepare for their last games together, while leaving a legacy of accomplishments behind, one thing is sure to follow them for the rest of their lives. Their connection. Their friendship.
The bond that cultivated their success together – and one they will live with forever.
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Henry Smardo and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at jakobarnarsson@gmail.com.
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