University of Oregon
8-2, 2-1MPSF
LIU Brooklyn
3-5, 0-0NEC
Milner, Ducks Explode in Second Half
03/26/15 | Women's Lacrosse
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Whatever was said in the Oregon locker room at halftime put some fire in the belly of the UO players as the Ducks reeled off 12 unanswered goals in the second half to defeat LIU Brooklyn, 19-8, Thursday afternoon at LIU Field.
How It Happened: Hayley Milner paced the Oregon (8-2, 2-1 MPSF) offense with three goals in each half for a career-high six goals against the Blackbirds while Carly O'Connell added three of her own. Natalie Modly and Holly Johnson also chipped in with two goals apiece.
The Ducks got off to a quick 2-0 start thanks to a free-position goal from Milner, followed by a rocket from Olivia Pyne past the LIU Brooklyn keeper. However, as quickly as the Ducks were able to score, the Blackbirds tied it up just as fast on goals from their top two offensive threats.
LIU Brooklyn (3-5) would take their first lead of the game at the 18:51 mark in the first half. That lead would be short-lived however after O'Connell netted two of the next three Oregon goals to put the Ducks back on top, 5-3, midway through the first half.
Soon after, a back-and-forth battle ensued as both schools exchanged goals. Jenn Peters netted her fourth goal of the game to put LIU Brooklyn back on top, 8-7, at the 5:20 mark and sent Janelle Parker to the bench.
With the Blackbirds leading 8-7 heading into the second half, Milner and company came out of the locker rooms dialed in as the Oregon offense erupted for 12 unanswered goals. Jenna Morris was a steel trap for the Ducks in goal after relieving Parker, grabbing a pair of saves in 32:17 minutes of scoreless action in the cage.
The Oregon defense should also lauded for its effort in causing a whopping 16 turnovers, nine of which came in the second half. The 16 caused turnovers by the Ducks ties the season-high set against Presbyterian in the 2015 opener.
Oregon almost kept its turnover numbers in the single digits for the third-straight game, but was just short and ended with just 11 compared to LIU Brooklyn's 21.
By The Numbers: UO outshot LIU Brooklyn 41-14, the last time Oregon had 40-plus shots was against St. Mary's (43) … The last time Oregon held an opponent scoreless for an entire half was against Presbyterian last season at home … Becca Katzen saw her first minutes of action in 2015 today in the cage … Milner joins Pyne as the only two Ducks to score six goals in a game this season … UO is now 1-1 when trailing at the half … Modly's two goals today matches her season-high set against St. Mary's ... Her four draw controls is also a new season-high for the freshman … UO had a balanced effort in the groundballs category with 11 different players tallying at least one groundball.
Quotable: “It was great to see the team show some fire in the second half and play the way we know that they're capable of. The momentum shifted quickly in the second half thanks to Hayley, but it was possible because of our defense. They did a great job forcing all those turnovers that allowed our offense to score like they did. Hopefully we can build off of the second half today as we turn our focus to a great Stony Brook team.” – UO associate head coach Rob Bray, Jr.
Up Next: Oregon now turns its focus onto a very good 12th-ranked Stony Brook team. The Ducks and Seawolves are schedule to square off at 9 a.m. (PT) on Saturday, March 28, at LaValle Stadium.
