Fortin's Late Goal Completes Comeback Win

Saturday, February 28

Eugene, OR

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

4-2

UC Davis

2-4

UC Davis

Oregon

02/28/26 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score: Oregon 10, UC Davis 9

EUGENE, Ore. – Sophomore Lilly Fortin scored a go-ahead goal in the final minutes on Saturday to secure a 10-9 comeback victory for the Oregon lacrosse team against UC Davis at Papé Field.

The Ducks (4-2) trailed by three early in the third quarter before putting together a 4-0 run to take the lead. UC Davis (2-4) responded to pull even and the game was tied at 9-9 for more than seven minutes when Fortin found the back of the net with 1:13 remaining for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

"I didn't even realize how much time was left on the clock when it happened," Fortin said, "and it's obviously very exciting when I get in and coaches believe in me and give me opportunities like that. Just having my teammates get really excited for me and just knowing that we have, as an offense, that capability to pull off those last-minute goals and win the game when it's so close."

Oregon held UC Davis to just one goal in the fourth quarter and four in the second half thanks to a terrific performance by keeper Francesca Viteritti, who finished the day with six saves to earn her first win as a Duck. Viteritti was helped by a swarming Oregon defense that had eight caused turnovers and pressured the Aggies into 17 total turnovers.

"They were all really great shooters," Viteritti said of the UC Davis attack. "It was definitely challenging to be able to step up in that situation. But I think what helped me, honestly, the most is our attack all week, just taking these shots and letting me see what I was going to see today. I really owe it all to them because without them preparing me for this, I definitely wouldn't have had the success I did."

The Ducks bounced back after a pair of home losses to California and Eastern Michigan, earning a win over a UC Davis team that was coming off a road victory at California.

lax vs. davis

How it Happened: UC Davis led 3-1 after the first quarter, a manageable deficit for the Ducks despite five turnovers and three penalties that led to a pair of woman-up goals for the Aggies. UC Davis was up 2-0 before Avery Young got the Ducks on the board off an assist from Anna Simmons, while Viteritti made two saves and the Ducks forced three turnovers in the period to keep the game close.

Viteritti made two more saves in the second quarter as the two teams scored two goals apiece to go into the half with UD Davis up, 5-3. Young netted her second goal of the day at the 12:38 mark and, after more than 10 minutes of scoreless play, Lyla Hurley made it a one-score game with a goal on a beautiful touch pass by Emma Ing. The Ducks were on the cusp of going into halftime down just one, but the Aggies took advantage of a late Oregon turnover and scored with 12 seconds remaining.

UC Davis extended its lead to 6-3 less than three minutes into the third quarter, but the Ducks responded with three goals in less than two minutes to storm back and pull even. Fortin started the run with her first goal of the day and was followed just 34 seconds later by a goal from Simmons. After a UC Davis timeout, Simmons found the net yet again to tie the game.

Oregon took its first lead of the game and extended its scoring run to 4-0 at the 7:38 mark in the third, as Ing found Hurley for her second goal of the game. Simmons' third goal of the day put Oregon back in front after UC Davis tied the game on a free-position shot, but the Aggies pulled even once again with a woman-up goal in the final seconds of an Oregon penalty.

The Aggies regained the lead with a goal at the 10:13 mark in the fourth quarter, but Oregon needed less than two minutes to answer as Gabby Santucci tied the game with a free-position goal. Both teams were able to kill penalties as the game remained tied for more than seven minutes, but a caused turnover by Lexi Jenkins secured a crucial possession for the Ducks and Fortin capitalized by maneuvering from behind the net to score the go-ahead goal.

An Oregon turnover and a green card gave UC Davis one more chance in the final seconds, but Viteritti made a terrific save and then forced a turnover with one second left to secure the win for the Ducks.

Who Stood Out: It was a breakout game for Viteritti, who recorded her third career game with five-plus saves while also adding a caused turnover and three ground balls. Simmons led the Ducks with three goals for her second hat trick of the season and 12th of her career, while Fortin, Young and Hurley each scored twice. Simmons also led Oregon with six draw controls, and Jenkins had two of Oregon's eight caused turnovers.

Notable: The Ducks won despite a 12-9 deficit on draw controls, but they were even on the draw, 6-6, in the second half and won two of three draws in the fourth quarter … Oregon has now won three straight against UC Davis at Papé Field and holds a 17-9 lead in the all-time series.

Up Next: Oregon will host Delaware State on Wednesday, March 4, at 12:00 p.m. PT following a neutral-site matchup between UC Davis and Delaware State at Papé Field on Monday.