Ranked Meeting Set with Michigan on Sunday

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Ducks hit the road for the first time since February for a pair of conference matchups at Ohio State and Michigan this week. Oregon heads to Ann Arbor for a Sunday matchup after making a stop in Columbus on Thursday.

The Wolverines (8-2, 2-0) and Ducks (6-5, 0-3) are set to meet for the fourth time in program history and second time as members of the Big Ten Conference, marking the first contest in Ann Arbor since an Oregon win in 2016. UO leads the series 2-1 all time, but Michigan took home the most recent victory with a 14-9 score in Eugene last season.

GAME INFO
When: Sunday, March 29
Where: U-M Lacrosse Stadium | Ann Arbor, Mich.
Time: 10 a.m. PT
Watch: B1G+
Live Stats: https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=ore

Big Ten Brings Big Competition
As Oregon searches for its first win as members of the Big Ten Conference, the Ducks face a challenging spring slate. Seven Big Ten teams are ranked in the IWLCA Top-25, including No. 3 Maryland who made a trip to Eugene earlier this season. The Ducks held their own against the Terrapins, thanks to a hat trick from Gabby Santucci and a gritty performance in the cage from Francesca Viteritti, who anchored a defense that caused 15 turnovers. The No. 11 ranked Northwestern Wildcats brought another challenge to Papé Field, resulting in the second straight loss for the Ducks last weekend. Oregon's Midwest road trip got off to a slow start with a 20-2 loss against No. 25 Ohio State in the first of two straight conference matchups on the road.

Share the Wealth
Eighteen different Ducks have contributed goals to Oregon's offensive success this season, with 13 Oregon players claiming more than one score. Anna Simmons leads the team with 18 goals, while Gabby Santucci and Emma Ing, Lyla Hurley and Avery Young have also reached double digits. Ing's six scores against San Diego State are the most by a Duck in a single game this season. Lilly Fortin and Liv Kozitza have eight apiece. Fortin also is the first Duck to reach double digit assists, with 13 so far.

» As a team, Oregon has totaled 115 goals through 11 games and is averaging 19.5 shots per game.
» Simmons, Ing and Fortin have each totaled 20-plus points this season.

Shields Up
Goalkeeper Kate Shields played a crucial role in Oregon's overtime win against Arizona State to open the
season. The sophomore took over the cage at the start of the second quarter and recorded 10 saves for the Ducks, including three in the overtime period. 10 saves is just one shy of her career-best 11, set last season against San Diego State. Shields earned the starting nod for the next four games, putting up a combined 28 with a 8.60 goals against average, the third lowest in the Big Ten. The sophomore saw action in the fourth quarter against Kent State, helping the Ducks allow just one goal for the fourth time in program history. Shields earned the starting nod for the first time in conference play against No. 25 Ohio State, where she recorded eight saves.

Victory for Viteritti
Transfer goalkeeper Francesca Viteritti earned three consecutive wins after a breakout game against UC Davis. Viteritti, who had been splitting time with sophomore Kate Shields, made her first start since the season opener after a strong defensive performance against Eastern Michigan. The redshirt junior played all 60 minutes against Davis, earning her first victory as a Duck and the best game of her career Viteritti recorded six saves on 23 shots faced and added a caused turnover and three ground balls, anchoring the Oregon defense to secure the win. Viteritti was a solidifying force in the win against Delaware State, and combined with Shields and freshman Kaley Gunning to allow just three goals. Viteritti returned to the cage and allowed just one goal against Kent State, the fourth game with one score or less in program history.