Slow Start Too Much for Ducks to Overcome

Thursday, February 19

Eugene, OR

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

3-1

California

3-1

California

Oregon

Photo by: Rob Moseley/GoDucks.com

02/19/26 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Oregon played Cal even over the latter stages Thursday, but an early 5-0 deficit was too much to overcome at Papé Field.

By: Rob Moseley

EUGENE, Ore. — A fast finish couldn't make up for a slow start, as UO lacrosse suffered its first loss of the season Thursday.

The Ducks allowed the first five goals of the matinee at Papé Field and lost to California, 14-9. The scoring was even after that 5-0 run by the Golden Bears to start the game, but Oregon couldn't climb all the way out of the early hole.

The UO women suffered their first loss after opening the season 3-0. They'll look to bounce back when they host Eastern Michigan on Sunday.

"I would love for them to come back from this and know that they've got to show up for a full 60 minutes, especially against a team they know they can match up with," UO coach Jessica Drummond said. "We showed up for the fourth quarter, but you can't win a game in the fourth quarter."

Trailing 12-4 entering the final period, the Ducks got six goals from five different players in the fourth. But the first three quarters saw Oregon allow too many chances, leading to their first loss.

"This team doesn't give up, and I appreciate that about them," Drummond said. "We've talked about that — you never count yourselves out of a fight. (But) it took us a while to kind of show up and play."

Emma Ing followed her six-goal performance Monday at San Diego State with a pair Thursday. Two-time Big Ten midfielder of the week Anna Simmons also scored twice, as did Rachel Pallo. Avery Young, Gabby Santucci and Lyla Hurley also scored for the Ducks, and Young added a pair of assists with a team-high seven shots.

How It Happened: California led 3-0 after the first quarter and then scored twice in the opening minutes of the second. Simmons, Young and Ing all scored as the Ducks pulled within 5-3, but the third and fourth goals of the first half by Cal's Josie Lillquist put the Golden Bears up 7-3 at halftime.

Ing's second goal broke up a run of five by Cal in the third quarter, which ended with Oregon in a 12-4 hole.

Pallo, Simmons and Hurley scored to open the fourth and give the Ducks hope of a comeback as they got within 12-7. But the teams traded goals back-and-forth from there, with Santucci and Pallo answering goals by Cal to keep the final margin at five.

Up Next: The Ducks host Eastern Michigan on Sunday (noon, B1G+).