Ducks Declaw Bears; Take Third in MPSF Tourney

Sunday, May 7

Eugene, Ore.

11 a.m.

University of Oregon

California (Consolation Game)

Photo by: GoDucks.com

05/07/06 | Women's Lacrosse

By: GoDucks.com

EUGENE -- Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Anna Poponyak made a terrific save on a free position shot by California's Liz Reifsnyder with less than 30 seconds remaining and the Ducks held on to a 9-8 victory to take third place in the MPSF Conference Tournament, held Sunday at Pap? Field.

With the win Oregon finishes at 10-9, improving on their 6-11 mark from last year’s inaugural season and giving second year coach Jen Larsen and the Ducks their first winning season. California finishes their season with an 8-11 record.

The Golden Bears' Madeleine Dale capitalized on a free position shot 57 seconds into the contest for the first score of the game, but the scoring pace quickly slowed, as the Golden Bears worked their offense patiently and played stubborn defense. After a period of almost twenty minutes in which the teams traded goals, Liz Reifsnyder put one in the back of the net with 9:35 left in the half, and the Ducks found themselves in a 3-1 hole.

Then Jen May took matters into her own hands, as 37 seconds later she capitalized on a free position shot to cut the deficit in half, beginning her four goal barrage over the next 14:09.

“We were so lucky to have another opportunity to take on Cal at Pap? field after last weekend, and we wanted to take advantage of it," said May. "We really wanted some revenge.”

Laura Cavallo added two goals for Cal during May’s run, and as May put in her fourth goal with 24:11 left in the game the score was once again tied, 5-5.

At the 18:47 mark Leanne Zilioli followed up Cristen Andrews score with one of her own to put Cal back up by two, 7-5.

Finding themselves down by two goals once again, Alison Leiner squeezed in her second shot of the day from a tough angle with 13:25 remaining to bring the Ducks within one, and only 36 seconds later Jana Bradley got the equalizer to put the score at 7-7. Less than two minutes later, the Ducks were finally able to take the lead for the first time in the game as Lindsay Killian notched her lone score of the game and put the Ducks ahead 8-7.

Once ahead, the Ducks would not relinquish their lead over the final 11:09, as they turned a total team effort into a win. “I’m very proud of our play today. Everybody stepped up,” said head coach Jen Larsen. “Our defense kept us in the game in the first half, and our offense went on a run in the second.”

Poponyak followed up her 17 saves against Denver with 12 saves, this time in a winning effort.

“I really wanted to play well this weekend and I put in extra practice time this week,” Poponyak said, “I feel like I did and I’m really happy with my performance.”

So was her teammate, sophomore Jen May. “Anna (Poponyak) came up huge. She has been coming up huge all season and I’m glad she’s getting more recognition for it now.” Poponyak's play earned her all-tournament honors.

Attacker Jana Bradley joined Poponyak on the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation all-tournament team.

2006 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Tournament Team

MF Chloe Dee, St. Mary’s
GK Hillary Harkins, UC Davis
MF Schuyler Sokolow, California
GK Anna Poponyak, Oregon
A Jana Bradley, Oregon
MF Karen Morton, Denver
D Natasha Davies, Denver
D Kelly O’Connell
A Sarah Bach
A Daphne Patterson
D Bri Ned, Stanford

Most Valuable Player
A Megan Burker, Stanford