USC Run Haunts Ducks in Loss

Saturday, April 6

Eugene, OR

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

7-4, 1-3P12

USC

10-3, 4-0P12

USC

Oregon

04/06/24 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon lacrosse team was tied with No. 21 USC through the first quarter and again midway through the second quarter on Saturday, but the Trojans finished the game on a 12-1 run to pull away and hand the Ducks a 19-8 loss at Papé Field.

Oregon (7-4, 1-3 Pac-12) finished with a 18-13 advantage on the draw controls, but struggled to maintain possession with 17 turnovers compared to just nine for the Trojans. USC (10-3, 4-0 Pac-12) broke a 7-7 tie late in the second quarter with three straight goals, and then outscored the Ducks 7-1 in the third quarter.

"At halftime I told the team we're still right in it," said head coach Jessica Drummond. "I think that was the biggest thing today was coming into this game and just believing in ourselves, having the confidence to step out onto the field and compete, and that was a reminder to keep doing that. Coming into the second half they went on some runs and we got a little defeated. My message was just to continue to fight and believe in ourselves."

How it Happened: The Ducks jumped out to a 2-0 lead through the first four minutes on goals by Madysyn Sweeney and Emma Ing. Ing answered USC's first goal of the day with her second to make it a 3-1 lead, but the Trojans responded with back-to-back goals to knot the game.

Ing notched her first career hat trick with her third goal of the game just 50 seconds into the second quarter to put Oregon back in front. Riley Taylor tied the game again with a goal following a pair of scores by the Trojans, and both Morgan McCarthy and Haley Cummins found the back of the net as the two teams traded scores en route to a 7-7 tie with 3:36 remaining. USC found its footing in the final three minutes before halftime, scoring a trio of goals to take a 10-7 lead into the break.

It was all Trojans in a third quarter that saw the Ducks finish with as many shots as turnovers, with three apiece. Freshman Gabby Santucci scored UO's lone goal of the period, her third in as many games, on a free-position shot.

USC added two more goals in the fourth quarter to finish off the win.

Notable: Ing led Oregon with her first career hat trick and was one of six Ducks to score a goal … Taylor and Lauren Rismani each dished out an assist … Rachel Pallo led UO with six draw controls while Cummins and Anna Simmons each grabbed four … Thayer Hubbard started for the Ducks in the net and finished with four saves.

Up Next: Oregon will go on the road next week to face San Diego State on Saturday, April 13 (1 p.m. PT).