Ducks Split Inaugural Pac-12 Weekend

Sunday, March 11

Eugene, OR

3:00 PM

University of Oregon

3-2, 1-1

Stanford

4-3, 1-1

Stanford

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans Photography

03/11/18 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score: Oregon 8, Stanford 19

Two days after leading wire-to-wire against Cal, the Ducks couldn't get traction against Stanford's aggressive style in a 19-8 loss Sunday at Papé Field.

By: Rob Moseley

EUGENE, Ore. — Two days after jumping out to a big lead in a wire-to-wire victory over California, the Oregon lacrosse team came out on the other end of a similar result, falling into a quick six-goal hole and losing 19-8 to No. 18 Stanford before 190 fans at Papé Field on Sunday.

The Ducks (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) thus split their inaugural weekend of Pac-12 Conference play, falling behind 14-3 at halftime Sunday before playing the Cardinal even in the second half.

"We never got in a groove," UO head coach Katrina Dowd said. "We played Syracuse (earlier this season), another top opponent, and we battled back. I just think we never got in the game, we never settled down. Just all aspects, Stanford outplayed us — give them credit."

How It Happened: The game was marked by aggressive, physical defense that transitioned into lightning fast conversions on offense by Stanford. Oregon won more draws, 17-11, but the Cardinal hounded the Ducks into 15 turnovers, with the Stanford defense playing a physical style that resulted in 33 fouls.

Stanford led 2-0 before the Ducks ever had possession, scoring the game's first six goals. "They came out with a lot of pressure, part of their game plan to challenge our stick work and vision," Dowd said. "We just didn't handle that pressure, that intensity. They're a ranked team, and they just came out with more energy. We weren't able to handle that pressure and make the easy pass, and it paid off for them."

Shannon Williams finally got Oregon on the scoreboard with 18:32 left in the first half, but the Cardinal scored twice more before the Ducks found the back of the net again, with Cambi Cukar converting at the 10:32 mark. Jill Zubillaga scored late in the first half, her first of four goals on the afternoon, as the Ducks took a 14-3 deficit into halftime.

Each team scored five times after halftime, with the clock running due to Stanford's double-digit lead. Mariah Gatti scored on an assist from Williams, tallying a goal less than six minutes into the second half after sitting out the first due to a coach's decision. Zubillaga scored three more times, and JoJo Hesketh scored Oregon's final goal in the last minute of play.

Who Stood Out: Williams' first-half goal was her team-leading 19th, and Gatti's gave her 18 for the season. Zubillaga finished with six goals on the weekend, putting her at 17 for the season. Lexy Biller won eight draws, and Brittany Read had six saves in goal.

What It Means: The Ducks got a taste of how grueling the Pac-12 slate will be. They also circled April 15 on their calendars — that's the day they get another crack at the Cardinal, under the conference schedule's double-round-robin format.

Up Next: The Ducks have a two-game road trip to ASU and USC next weekend, beginning Friday at Arizona State.