University of Oregon
Colgate
Trio of Hat Tricks Leads Ducks Over Colgate, 16-11
03/17/07 | Women's Lacrosse
EUGENE -- Kate Fleming, Alison Leiner and Brooke Dieringer all scored hat tricks as the Ducks completed their first ever undefeated home season in school history with a 16-11 victory over Colgate Saturday afternoon at Pape' Field. With the win, the Ducks move to 7-3 on the season as they continue their best start in school history. Colgate drops to 1-7 on the year.
Ilsa van den Berg added two goals and also led the Ducks with two assists. Six other Ducks had a single assist in the game.
The Ducks were once again dominant on the offensive end early, but were forced to hold on to their lead late as for the second night in a row the opponent's goalkeeper made more than 10 saves in the match. Even though the Ducks outshot the Raiders 37-19 in the game, Colgate goalkeeper Sara Drexler made 14 saves to keep her team in the game.
One of the keys for the Ducks on the afternoon was limiting turnovers as they had only 10 in the game compared to the Raiders 17. The defense was instrumental in the effort as they kept the pressure off of freshman goalkeeper Sam Debow, who was only forced to make two saves.
But it was the offense for Oregon that would truly keep the pressure on the Raiders as eight different Ducks had goals.
Colgate scored the opening goal of the game, but four straight goals by four different Ducks in the next five minutes would extend the Oregon lead to 4-1 and the Ducks would never trail again although Colgate would tie the game at 8-8 at the 24:59 mark of the second half. Three Oregon goals, the first by May and then a pair by Dieringer would put the game out of reach for good.
The Ducks took advantage of their free position chances as well, converting 6-8 chances.
Ashley Didio led the Raiders with three goals and an assist, while Jess Van der Meulen also tallied a hat trick. Lindsay Pittard, a member of the inaugural Oregon team in 2005 before transferring to Colgate, had two goals and led the Raiders with three assists .
The Ducks head to the road for the rest of their season, beginning with Johns Hopkins and Columbia during their spring break week. They will take on JHU on Saturday, March 24 at 2 p.m. and Columbia on the following Wednesday at Noon.
