Senior Showcase Propels Ducks To 18-11 Upset of No. 16 USC

Sunday, April 8

Eugene, OR

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

8-5, 4-3

USC

7-7, 5-4

USC

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans Photography

Senior Showcase Propels Ducks To 18-11 Upset of No. 16 USC

04/08/18 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score: Oregon 18, USC 11

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon women's lacrosse team saved the best for last, upsetting No. 16 Southern California 18-11 on Sunday at Papé Field.

It was Oregon's first win over a ranked opponent since 2008, and came in UO's final home game of the season. "It was a very emotional day, what with it being senior day," said head coach Katrina Dowd. "Our team plays for them — they are our heart and soul — and I couldn't plan it or write it up any more special for them."

How it Happened: The Ducks (8-5, 4-3) rode that emotional high from the pregame senior ceremonies, which included a special national anthem sung by senior Jill Zubillaga, right into the first half.

After the Trojans netted the opening goal, Oregon took control by netting the next 10 straight over a 15-minute span. It was none other than Zubillaga, UO's leading scorer this season, who opened the run by scoring her first of three goals on the day on a free position shot.

By the time JoJo Hesketh capped off the Ducks' run at the 12:02 mark, she along with fellow senior Mariah Gatti already had hat tricks to their names. The Trojans got some momentum right before halftime, scoring two goals in the final two and a half minutes to make it 10-3 at the intermission.

The Ducks dominated the circle in the opening half, recording 12-of-14 draw controls. Senior goalkeeper Brittany Read and the UO defense also shut down the Trojans from 8 meters out, as USC went 0-of-4 on its free position shots.

UO kept its foot on the gas at the start of the second half, with Shannon Williams sparking a brief 4-0 run in the opening minutes that was capped off by back-to-back goals from senior Natalie Modly to make it 14-3.

The Trojans got back within 10 following a 6-0 run midway through the second half, scoring on five free position shots, to make it 14-9 with 11 minutes left.
Oregon kept the Trojans at arm's length throughout the final minutes, outscoring USC 4-2, to record the 18-11 victory.

Who Stood Out: Four Ducks finished the game with hat tricks, led by Hesketh with a career-high five goals … Junior Shannon Williams led the Ducks in points, scoring one goal while recording a career-high six assists … Gatti finished the game scoring four goals off four shots to go along with one assist … Lexy Biller and Zubillaga commanded the center circle, recording eight draw controls apiece.

Notable: The victory marked UO's first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 11 Notre Dame 14-13 in 2008 … The game marked only the second time in program history USC has had a running clock established against it. The other time? USC's first-ever game in 2013 against then-No. 1 Northwestern … UO's 18 goals also marked the second-most goals scored against the Trojans in program history.

Box Score: The Ducks recorded 22 of the 31 total draw controls on the day … USC played very aggressive defensively, committing 35 fouls to UO's 21, with 21 in the first half compared to Oregon's eight … This is the fourth game in a row Oregon has scored 10 goals in one half.

Up Next: The Ducks close out the season on the road, opening a three-game road trip at California on Friday at 5 p.m.