University of Oregon
3-1, 2-0
California
0-2, 0-1
Eleven Unanswered Goals Fuels 18-9 Win Over Cal
02/19/17 | Women's Lacrosse
OREGON SCORED 11 UNANSWERED GOALS AND GOT FOUR-GOAL PERFORMANCES FROM MARIAH GATTI, BELLA PYNE AND SHANNON WILLIAMS TO IMPROVE TO 2-0 IN MPSF PLAY
Photo: Eric Larriva
EUGENE, Ore. - The Oregon women's lacrosse team used an impressive offensive effort that included a stretch of 11 unanswered goals to beat California, 18-9, and improve to 2-0 in MPSF play on Sunday afternoon at Papé Field.
How it Happened: Trailing 3-2 after a back-and-forth start in the first 14 minutes, the Ducks (3-1, 2-0 MPSF) erupted for nine unanswered goals to close out the first half and added two more to start the second half to take a commanding 13-3 lead over the visiting Golden Bears (0-2, 0-1 MPSF).
Sophomore Shannon Williams started the offensive explosion with an unassisted goal at the 15:30 mark to tie the game, 3-3, and senior Bella Pyne gave Oregon a lead five minutes later with an unassisted goal of her own. Williams scored again 40 seconds later and added another with 7:32 left in the half, both unassisted, to extend Oregon's lead to 6-3. Junior Cambi Cukar quickly added on with an unassisted goal at the 6:53 mark, and Williams recorded her fourth goal of the half with 3:43 remaining to push the lead to 8-3.
With less than two minutes remaining before the break, the Ducks ripped off three goals in a minute-and-a-half to end the first period with a comfortable 11-3 lead. Junior Mariah Gatti and Pyne each scored unassisted goals, and Pyne set up Gatti with 30 seconds left to close the half.
Oregon carried its offensive momentum into the second half, as Cukar assisted junior JoJo Hesketh to open the half and the freshman Julia Bolte at the 25:09 mark for her first-career goal. Cal would end the Ducks' 11-0 run with a goal with 23:54 remaining, but Gatti responded for the Ducks with two more goals, one off a feed from Cukar and one on a free-position shot, and Pyne tallied another unassisted goal to give Oregon its biggest lead of the day, 16-4.Have a look at all 18 (!) of your Ducks' goals from today's win against Cal! #GoDucks https://t.co/BD9Fh674gD
— Oregon Lacrosse (@OregonWLAX) February 20, 2017
Hesketh scored her second goal of the game with 12:44 remaining before Cal began to find some momentum with four goals in a row to cut the lead to 17-9. Junior Lindsey Kail scored her first goal of the season off a dish from freshman Emma Bowman to close the scoring as the Ducks celebrated a big win on their home field.
Who Stood Out: The Ducks got four-goal performances from Gatti, Pyne and Williams in an impressive offensive display, with Pyne and Williams each matching their career-highs. Cukar was stellar at setting up her teammates, as she finished with five assists and a goal to lead the team with six points. Bolte, a left-handed attacker, was solid in her first taste of extended action with a pair of goals, and Hesketh found the back of the net twice, as well, while grabbing five draw controls.
Not to be overlooked in the high-scoring affair was the Ducks' defense, which stifled the Golden Bears through the majority of the game. Cal struggled to get off shots while the Ducks' starters were in the game, and Oregon was able to force three shot clock violations. Senior Becca Katzen made five saves to earn her third win of the season.
What it Means: The Ducks closed out a four-game stretch at home to start the season with a 3-1 record to show for it, and got two crucial conference wins to go to 2-0 in the MPSF. Oregon will now be forced to leave the comforts of Papé Field as it hits the road for eight away games in a row.
Notable: Cukar's five assists ran her career total to 92, putting her 22 shy of Shannon Propst's (2011-14) program record of 114 … The Ducks were able to get a number of new faces into the game after not subbing much through the first three, as 10 substitutes made it into the game including Bolte, Kail and backup goalie Maddie Clark (four minutes) … The Ducks won the draw-control battle with the Golden Bears, 17-12 … Oregon committed only 11 turnovers in the game while Cal lost 15.
Quotable: Head Coach Katrina Dowd
On today's win…
"A total team effort. Offensively, everyone contributed with Bella (Pyne) setting the tone with her speed and aggressiveness, and once the rest of the team settled into the game they really took it from there, but I'm proud of her for setting the tone and getting to the net hard. Then we really just played unselfish and they stayed true to that and played the whole game that way."
On the defensive play…
"I thought that was the game-changer. Once we settled in and we figured out our zone and we took away that middle girl, it set the tone for the game and it fuels our offense when we can get those (shot clock) violations and get knockdowns and cause turnovers."
On being able to get more players into the game…
"I'm really excited that we got everybody in. This is our last home game for a while so it's nice to get everybody a taste of the field and get everyone some game time. I give credit to the starters for really setting the tone and staying focused and really trying to do the best they can to make sure their teammates got a chance to get in today."
Cambi Cukar, Junior Attacker
On her five assists today…
"It was just about settling in and being patient because sometimes I get a little too excited and try to force it, and I think it's just about waiting for the open person."
Bella Pyne, Senior, Midfielder
On her four goals today…
"I'm pleased with it, especially coming off of practice this week because I actually have had trouble with my shooting, so my goal was just to get the ball in the goal. So I'm glad I was able to do that today and just be patient with myself."
Up Next: The Ducks will begin their daunting eight-game road trip next Sunday when they attempt to build on their 2-0 start in MPSF play at Fresno State at 1 p.m.
