Duck Trio Named as Players to Watch
02/05/25 | Women's Lacrosse
EUGENE, Ore. – Three members of the Oregon lacrosse team have been named to the Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch list, the conference announced Wednesday. Midfielders Anna Simmons and Avery Young and defender Lexi Jenkins were among the 27 players across the conference recognized.
Simmons had a breakout year for Oregon as a sophomore, setting career highs in goals (33), assists (6), points (39), caused turnovers (20) and draw controls (34). The only underclassmen among the Ducks' 2024 team captains, Simmons was one of two players in the Pac-12 – the other being Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year Morgan McCarthy – with 30-plus goals and 20-plus caused turnovers. She has scored at least one goal in 18 of her 32 career games, including five games with three-plus goals and four with five-plus.
Jenkins immediately made an impact in her first collegiate season, starting all 15 games for the Ducks on defense. She helped anchor a Ducks back line that held opponents under eight goals 10 times after doing so just three times in the three seasons prior.
Young started the first two games of the 2024 season, scoring three goals and adding two assists before being sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with an injury.
Young and Jenkins are two of only four sophomores recognized on the list.
The Ducks officially kick off the 2025 season on Friday when they host Butler at Papé Field at 5 p.m. Oregon's first-ever Big Ten game will also take place at home, as UO welcomes Ohio State to Eugene on March 13.
Simmons had a breakout year for Oregon as a sophomore, setting career highs in goals (33), assists (6), points (39), caused turnovers (20) and draw controls (34). The only underclassmen among the Ducks' 2024 team captains, Simmons was one of two players in the Pac-12 – the other being Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year Morgan McCarthy – with 30-plus goals and 20-plus caused turnovers. She has scored at least one goal in 18 of her 32 career games, including five games with three-plus goals and four with five-plus.
Jenkins immediately made an impact in her first collegiate season, starting all 15 games for the Ducks on defense. She helped anchor a Ducks back line that held opponents under eight goals 10 times after doing so just three times in the three seasons prior.
Young started the first two games of the 2024 season, scoring three goals and adding two assists before being sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with an injury.
Young and Jenkins are two of only four sophomores recognized on the list.
The Ducks officially kick off the 2025 season on Friday when they host Butler at Papé Field at 5 p.m. Oregon's first-ever Big Ten game will also take place at home, as UO welcomes Ohio State to Eugene on March 13.
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/ Women's LacrosseJessica Drummond | Postgame vs. Maryland
Sunday, March 15
Liv Kozitza | Postgame vs. Kent State
Tuesday, March 10
Jadyn Laing | Postgame vs. Kent State
Tuesday, March 10
Avery Young | Postgame vs. Kent State
Tuesday, March 10
