Big Second Half Keeps Ducks Perfect

Friday, March 1

Lawrenceville, NJ

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

4-0

Rider

4-1

ORE

Rider

03/01/24 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — Oregon lacrosse outscored Rider 8-2 in the second half to power a 17-9 road win on Friday that improved the Ducks to 4-0, tying the program record for the best start to a season set back in 2018.

After trailing 6-5 with just over five minutes to play in the first half, Oregon scored twice in 15 seconds to reclaim the lead over Rider (4-1). The Broncs netted a goal to even the score again, but with 38 seconds remaining in the half Riley Taylor scored what proved to be the first of eight unanswered for Oregon across the next 24 minutes. UO shut out Rider in the third quarter and built a commanding lead that proved to be insurmountable for the Broncs.

"I was really proud of us turning it around in the second half," head coach Jessica Drummond said. "We tapped in to that next level we know we can play at that makes us Oregon lacrosse. Today was a team win from defense, to offense, to our sideline. The hype was there and it pushed us to end the game strong."

Haley Cummins scored three goals for her third hat trick of the season, while reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week Morgan McCarthy notched her second hat trick in as many games with a three-goal performance. Lauren Rismani was crucial in facilitating the Ducks' attack, notching two assists and two goals.

Defensively, Oregon was anchored by goalkeeper Thayer Hubbard who saved six shots in the first complete game by a Duck keeper this season. McCarthy made her presence felt on the defensive side of the field with four caused turnovers and three ground balls, while Rachel Pallo caused two turnovers and grabbed three draw controls.

How It Happened: Oregon opened the scoring once again as Cummins scored her ninth goal of the season to get the Ducks on the board just over a minute into the game. A quiet spell for both teams followed before Taylor sliced her way to the net to give the Ducks a second. Rider regrouped and scored a pair of quick goals, tying things up at two apiece. A Duck response came just 14 seconds later as McCarthy grabbed her first goal of the day, reclaiming the lead for Oregon. Cummins extended the lead off of a looping pass from Lexi Jenkins, but another goal for the Broncs gave UO a one-goal advantage at the end of the first period.

The Oregon attack slowed in the early stages of the second quarter, allowing Rider to score three of the game's next four goals and take its first lead with five minutes remaining in the half. Two goals in 15 seconds by the Ducks stole the lead back, but a free-position goal by the Broncs' Kylee Garcia drew the score level once again. The score looked to remain tied until Taylor reclaimed the lead for Oregon with under a minute to play, and Jenae Sperling scored just seconds later after fighting through contact to give her team a two-goal advantage at the break.

UO started the second half much like it did the first as Cummins netted her third of the day two minutes into the period. The Ducks clamped down on the Broncs defensively, allowing just three shots to keep them off the scoreboard for the duration of the quarter. McCarthy made Rider pay on a free position attempt, while goals by Rismani and Pallo put UO in control, 13-7, entering the fourth.

The Ducks continued to pour it on as McCarthy earned her hat trick while Alyssa Wright scored her first goal of the season six minutes later to give Oregon full command. The Broncs were able to break the scoring spell as Selena Carrington scored with 5:47 left in the game, more than 24 minutes since her team's previous goal. Another Rider goal followed, but a pair of scores by Anna Simmons in the final four minutes put the game to rest and handed Oregon its first road victory of the season, keeping the Ducks perfect under Drummond.

Notables: Oregon has held four-straight opponents under 10 goals for the first time since 2015 when it did so six times.

Up Next: The Ducks turn around to face No. 22 Rutgers on Sunday at 9 a.m. Fans can tune in to the Big Ten Network or stream the game on the FOX Sports app.