Simmons, Oregon Race Past Merrimack

Wednesday, March 6

Eugene, OR

5:00 PM

University of Oregon

5-1

Merrimack

0-5

MC_WLAX

ORE

03/06/24 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon lacrosse defeated Merrimack 18-3 on the back of a six-goal performance from midfielder Anna Simmons on Wednesday night at Papé Field.

Simmons scored a hat trick less than three minutes into the game to help the Ducks (5-1) take full command by building a 9-0 lead over the Warriors (0-5) early in the second quarter. Merrimack scored three of the game's next five goals, but Oregon closed it out by scoring seven-straight to slam the door shut and remain perfect at Papé Field this season.

"We really wanted to emphasize finishing our shots, so being able to get those looks and putting them in the net was a key for us today," head coach Jessica Drummond said. "Glad to see our team do that. There were a lot of contributors today and I'm super proud of all those guys that contributed to scoring goals."

Simmons finished the day with six goals on nine shots to go with three caused turnovers on the defensive end. It is the second six-goal performance this season for the Duck's leading scorer, doing so against Saint Francis on Feb. 16.

"I think a lot of it is just confidence," Simmons said. "Last year switching from high school to college, it's a huge change, and I struggled a lot playing my own game. But this year the coaches have totally backed me up and given me a lot of confidence in myself so I've been able to play my game way more. I also think the team and comradery of all of us makes me super comfortable and makes me play the way I want to play."

Morgan McCarthy scored her fourth-straight hat trick with three goals on the night, while Lauren Rismani – who owned the Pac-12's second highest assist total entering the night – assisted three goals while scoring two herself in a five-point performance.

The Ducks were led defensively by freshman Lexi Jenkins, who was credited for five of Oregon's season-high 16 caused turnovers while scooping up seven ground balls. Sydnie Soto turned in a solid performance with two caused turnovers and four ground balls, while goalkeeper Thayer Hubbard earned her fifth win of the season by saving five shots and allowing just three goals.

"I think it's [Oregon's defense] come a really long way," Jenkins said. "I think a big part of it is just the support from everyone, our coaches, my teammates and our drive. Our team has so much drive, we all want to compete, we all want to win so that has just brought us so far. We all want to listen, we're all just like sponges. They tell us information, we listen to it and we apply it so I think that has brought us really far. I'm looking forward to practicing every day. We've really been able to push the pressure and step up as a unit."

How It Happened: After quiet outings during Oregon's two-game road trip last week, Simmons wasted no time putting her name on the scoresheet as the sophomore scored three goals in under three minutes to begin the game. The defense remained solid as the Ducks tacked on four more goals, including a fade-away shot by McCarthy with 10 seconds on the clock to lead 7-0 after the opening period.

Simmons opened the scoring again in the second quarter, using a Lauren Rismani assist for her 20th goal of the season. Rismani scored one for herself a few minutes later after Jenkins forced a turnover on the defensive end that led to a fastbreak run from the Ducks. With 8:38 remaining in the half the Warriors scored their first goal of the day while their defense stepped up to hold Oregon scoreless across the final nine minutes of the half as UO took a 9-1 lead into the break.

Merrimack scored twice in the first five minutes of the third quarter, but goals from Simmons and Madysyn Sweeney kept the Oregon lead intact. The Duck defense was lights out the remainder of the way, keeping the Warriors scoreless across the final 25 minutes. McCarthy secured her hat trick with just under five minutes to play in the third quarter, while Jadyn Laing and Vermont transfer Kristiana Strtak each scored the first goals of their Oregon careers in the fourth quarter to round out a dominant day for the Ducks.

Oregon scored six times on 12 free position chances after going just 2-for-10 in its previous two games. The Ducks outpaced the Warriors in shots, 38-13, and shots on goal, 26-9, in the home victory.

Notables: Three goals are the fewest allowed by Oregon since conceding three to East Carolina in 2018.

Up Next: The Ducks look to defend Papé Field against Furman on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT.