Photo by: Sydney Becker
Ducks' Season Ends in Pac-12 Quarterfinals
05/03/23 | Women's Lacrosse
BERKELEY, Calif. — Oregon's season ended Wednesday evening in a 16-10 defeat to Colorado in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament.
The Ducks (5-12) were hindered by turnovers in the contest, committing 17 in total. Despite a valiant push in the third period, the Ducks fall to 2-4 all-time in the conference tournament.
"This team fought hard all season," said head coach Chelsea Hoffmann following the defeat. "I'm so proud of the fight in each of them and grateful for the leadership of our seniors and the legacy they've left with our program. They will be missed!". Looking onward, Hoffmann reflected on the team's growth. "There are a lot of big moments to build off of for 2024."
How it Happened: Colorado (10-7) opened the scoring in the matchup behind a goal from Sam McGee. McCarthy netted her first on the day after receiving a pass from Alyssa Wright on a cut toward the cage.
The Buffaloes scored the next two of the game to take a 3-1 lead in the first period, but Oregon found a response. McCarthy scored in a mere 11 seconds to make it 3-2 before Haley Taylor put away her first in the game to tie things up after one.
The Ducks continued to find offensive momentum behind McCarthy. The junior captain secured a first-half hat trick from a clever one-two combination with Lauren Rismani. Colorado would pull out to a 5-4 lead with a two-goal flurry.
Oregon again found a quick response, this time in a program-record eight seconds. Rachel Pallo secured the draw control and immediately found Taylor in open space in the offensive end as the sophomore put away her second of the game. The Buffaloes would end the second quarter on a 4-0 run to take a 9-5 lead heading into the break.
Morgan Pence opened the goal-scoring in the second half for Colorado to make it a 10-5 advantage. The Ducks rallied at this point, going on a 4-0 run to close the gap to 10-9. Katie Collins and Wright rattled off the first two for Oregon before Gabby Cleveland fired home two goals of her own. The Buffaloes would sneak in a free position goal with under 15 seconds in the period to make it an 11-9 contest.
In the end, the Ducks ran out of the steam in the fourth, resulting in a 5-1 advantage for Colorado in the final 15 minutes of play. Collins attacked downhill on a drive from outside 12 meters for Oregon's only goal in the quarter.
Who Stood Out: McCarthy ended Wednesday's game with her seventh hat trick on the season. Collins has at least four draw controls in her last five games. Rismani registered an assist in a game for the 13th time this season.
Notable: Margot Hotham enters a tie for the tenth most caused turnovers in a single season with 23 … McCarthy secured a career-high nine draw controls, giving her sole possession of sixth-place for career draw controls with 132 ... The nine draw controls are also the most by an Oregon player in a Pac-12 Tournament game … The 17 draw controls tie for the second most in a game this season for Oregon.
The Ducks (5-12) were hindered by turnovers in the contest, committing 17 in total. Despite a valiant push in the third period, the Ducks fall to 2-4 all-time in the conference tournament.
"This team fought hard all season," said head coach Chelsea Hoffmann following the defeat. "I'm so proud of the fight in each of them and grateful for the leadership of our seniors and the legacy they've left with our program. They will be missed!". Looking onward, Hoffmann reflected on the team's growth. "There are a lot of big moments to build off of for 2024."
How it Happened: Colorado (10-7) opened the scoring in the matchup behind a goal from Sam McGee. McCarthy netted her first on the day after receiving a pass from Alyssa Wright on a cut toward the cage.
The Buffaloes scored the next two of the game to take a 3-1 lead in the first period, but Oregon found a response. McCarthy scored in a mere 11 seconds to make it 3-2 before Haley Taylor put away her first in the game to tie things up after one.
The Ducks continued to find offensive momentum behind McCarthy. The junior captain secured a first-half hat trick from a clever one-two combination with Lauren Rismani. Colorado would pull out to a 5-4 lead with a two-goal flurry.
Oregon again found a quick response, this time in a program-record eight seconds. Rachel Pallo secured the draw control and immediately found Taylor in open space in the offensive end as the sophomore put away her second of the game. The Buffaloes would end the second quarter on a 4-0 run to take a 9-5 lead heading into the break.
Morgan Pence opened the goal-scoring in the second half for Colorado to make it a 10-5 advantage. The Ducks rallied at this point, going on a 4-0 run to close the gap to 10-9. Katie Collins and Wright rattled off the first two for Oregon before Gabby Cleveland fired home two goals of her own. The Buffaloes would sneak in a free position goal with under 15 seconds in the period to make it an 11-9 contest.
In the end, the Ducks ran out of the steam in the fourth, resulting in a 5-1 advantage for Colorado in the final 15 minutes of play. Collins attacked downhill on a drive from outside 12 meters for Oregon's only goal in the quarter.
Who Stood Out: McCarthy ended Wednesday's game with her seventh hat trick on the season. Collins has at least four draw controls in her last five games. Rismani registered an assist in a game for the 13th time this season.
Notable: Margot Hotham enters a tie for the tenth most caused turnovers in a single season with 23 … McCarthy secured a career-high nine draw controls, giving her sole possession of sixth-place for career draw controls with 132 ... The nine draw controls are also the most by an Oregon player in a Pac-12 Tournament game … The 17 draw controls tie for the second most in a game this season for Oregon.
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