Ducks Deliver Complete Performance in Second Straight Win

Wednesday, March 4

Eugene, OR

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

5-2

Delaware State

0-5

Delaware St.

Oregon

Ducks Deliver Complete Performance in Second Straight Win

03/04/26 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Kate Cooney

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon women's lacrosse team earned its most dominant victory of the season, taking down Delaware State 20-3 on Wednesday. Thirteen different Ducks contributed to Oregon's offense for a complete team win.

The Ducks (4-2) jumped to a 6-1 lead in the first quarter and kept the game in their favor for all 60 minutes of play. Oregon's 20 goal total solidified its largest margin of victory this season, topping the 16-5 win against FDU earlier this year. The trip of UO goalkeepers held the Hornets (0-5) to just three goals throughout the game.

"We talked about it going into this game, this was an opportunity to prove who we are," head coach Jess Drummond said. "We are finally starting to put the pieces together, and I'm proud that we were able to show up. We keep talking about being disciplined from the start to finish, and today that was really key. We had a couple slips, but not as much as we've done in the past. I'm really proud of the progress and the steps forward we're making as a team."

Oregon was excellent in every phase of the game, setting season highs as a team with 13 assists,
17 draw controls and 19 caused turnovers. A disciplined defense limited Delaware State to just five shots throughout the game.

"Everyone was working as a unit, working to get through for each other, communicate who was sending those slides and those cuts," junior captain Avery Young said. "We've been practicing that all week and making sure we are working together and I think that played out well for us today."

With the well-rounded effort, the Ducks earned their second consecutive win at Papé Field after taking down UC Davis in a one-score game last Saturday and improve to 3-2 at home this season.

How it Happened: The momentum was in favor of the Ducks from the opening draw, picked up by Gabby Santucci. Avery Young opened up scoring in the first two minutes of the game. The Oregon offense responded with five goals in quick succession, including back-to-back scores from senior attacker Emma Ing. Lexi Jenkins was a driving force for in the first quarter as well, picking up a team-high three draw controls and converting a free position shot.

Delaware State took advantage of a woman-up opportunity to net their first goal of the day with a minute left in the first quarter, but Young answered with one more goal to give the Ducks a five-score lead.

Sophomore transfer Jaeda Jensen and netted her first goal as a Duck just under a minute into the second quarter. The Hornets answered with their second goal of the day, but Francesca Viteritti locked down in the goal and recorded a save for Oregon, leaving the Hornets scoreless for the remainder of the half.

Rachel Pallo added a pair of consecutive goals to begin a 7-0 scoring run for the Ducks between the end of the first half and beginning of the second. Hazel Baker tallied her first score of the season and Lilly Fortin assisted Audrey Thompson on her second goal this year for her third assist on the day. Fortin leads the Ducks with eight assists this season, and added two scores of her own for a team-high five points on the day.

"When we work with each other with assisted goals, we're making each other look good which so important, because building chemistry on the field and off the field is definitely a huge thing for our attack," Fortin said. "Especially in games like this, when we can get those assisted goals and just work together, it's great to make each other look good and we're just working so well as a unit."

Sophomore Kate Shields took over the cage in the third period for the Ducks, with just one shot slipping past her stick for the third and final Delaware State goal.

Some of Oregon's newest members had their chance to shine in the fourth quarter as the Ducks capped their game with six unanswered goals. Freshman Kaley Gunning made her second appearance in goal this season for the final 15 minutes. Sydney Saracene was the third Duck to add her first score this season, which also marked the first of her career.

"It was so great being able to get everybody in and have that opportunity," Drummond said. "Today is such a team win, and that feels so special for everybody."

Saracene forced three caused turnovers, the most by a Duck, while fellow freshman Caitlin Beckman came in to match Jenkins' high with three draw controls.

12 of Oregon's 20 goals came off the bench, including all five scores in the fourth quarter. Seniors Riley Taylor and Kylee Manser each scored once more in the final minutes of the matchup, joining Fortin, Ing, Jensen, Pallo and Young with two scores apiece.

"All the grit and seeing so many faces, from freshmen to all different classes, defense, offense, middies was so great," Taylor said. "Just so many different scoring opportunities and feeding opportunities and so many different names that got points. It was awesome to go into there knowing that we have people on the bench, other than our starting lineup, that can give so much going into Big Ten play."

Who Stood Out: Lilly Fortin carried over the momentum of Saturday's success against UC Davis and led the team with five total points from three assists and a pair of goals. Lexi Jenkins and Caitlin Beckman each picked up three draw controls, contributing to the team total 17. Sydney Saracene forced three caused turnovers, and joined Jaeda Jensen and Hazel Baker to record their first scores of the season.

Notable: The Ducks outshot Delaware State 46-5 and did not allow a shot in the fourth quarter … Oregon was a perfect 10-10 on clear attempts … The Ducks won the draw control battle 17-7, with eight Oregon players winning draws … 20 goals is the most by Oregon this season, just three shy of the program record 23, which was last reached against Presbyterian in 2014.

Up Next: Oregon will host Kent State for its final nonconference game of the season at 12 p.m. on Monday, March 9 before opening up Big Ten play against No. 3 Maryland at noon on Saturday, March 14.