Offense Lifts Ducks Past George Mason

Sunday, March 5

Fairfax, VA

9:00 AM

University of Oregon

3-2

George Mason

0-6

Oregon

George Mason

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

03/05/23 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. – Oregon (3-2) finished its first road trip 1-1 after a return of form on offense led the Ducks to a 16-10 victory over George Mason (0-6) on Sunday.

The Ducks had their most efficient day attacking the cage with 21 of 25 shots on goal (84 percent) and netting 16 in the process. A total of eight Oregon players finished with multiple points, including a four-goal day from junior Morgan McCarthy and a pair of goals and assists from sophomore Haley Taylor.

"I'm proud of the way we competed for all four quarters," said coach Chelsea Hoffmann following Sunday's victory. "I love the way our offense shared the ball and how our defense took away their top threats."

How it happened: Oregon jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter behind goals from freshman Rachel Pallo and senior Katie Collins. After George Mason responded with its first two goals, Mara Zajac netted her third goal of the season to give the Ducks the lead out of the opening quarter.

Morgan McCarthy came alive in the second quarter, scoring three consecutive goals for the captain's fourth hat trick on the season. Sophomore Haley Taylor and freshman Anna Simmons each tallied a goal in the second to give the Ducks an 8-4 advantage after 30 minutes.

The offensive onslaught continued in the third for the Ducks as they added another five goals from five players. Pallo continued her career-best day with her second goal and third point. Senior Bailey Smith extended her point streak to seven games with a goal in the third. Junior Cassidy Eckert was instrumental in net throughout the game, saving 10 Patriot shots through the first three quarters.

Oregon scored three consecutive goals to open the fourth and gain a 16-6 advantage. George Mason responded to the 10-goal deficit by netting four consecutive goals of its own to make it a 16-10 game, which would be the day's final.

Who Stood Out: Four Ducks ended Sunday's game with three-or-more points. McCarthy (4 goals) and Taylor (2 goals, 2 assists) each finished with a team-high four points. Pallo (2 goals, 1 assist) finished with three points for the freshman's first career multi-point game, while senior Alyssa Wright (1 goal, 2 assists) matched a career-best with three points. Eckert finished with her eighth career game with 10-plus saves.

Notable: McCarthy extended her scoring streak to 16 consecutive games on Sunday with her fourth game of three-or-more goals this season … The Ducks finished Sunday's contest with a .640 shooting percentage, the best in any game by a team under coach Chelsea Hoffmann ... Oregon's 10 assists on Sunday was the first time with double-digits under Hoffmann.

Up Next: Oregon gets a weekend off from action to prepare for its first conference game of the season on Friday, March 17, against California. First draw is set for 5 p.m. at Papé Field.