Lacrosse Finds Both Frustration And Encouragement In Defeat
EUGENE, Ore. — A huge surge to open the second half gave Oregon lacrosse a four-goal lead over No. 17 Stanford, but the Cardinal finished stronger to win their 11th straight over the Ducks, 17-13 at Papé Field on Monday.
The result was frustrating but also encouraging for the Ducks, who scored the first five goals after halftime to lead 10-6. After Stanford rallied to an 11-11 tie, Lillian Stump and Hanna Hilcoff put Oregon up by two with 12:31 to play. But the Cardinal closed the game with six straight goals to come away with the win.
"I think that's the best we've ever played," UO coach Chelsea Hoffmann said. "I think that's the best this program has competed against a really strong opponent like Stanford. So, happy with the way we showed up; disappointed with the result."
How It Happened: Two goals buy Hilcoff and one each by Lindsay Clarke and Stump gave the Ducks a 4-3 lead with 8:49 left in the first half. Stanford score three straight to take a two-goal lead, but Stump scored just before halftime and Oregon trailed 6-5.
Hoffmann said the Ducks made some adjustments at halftime based on the way Stanford was defending Oregon's top scorers, and it paid off. Hilcoff scored twice during the five-goal UO run that opened the second half, but Oregon also got goals from Morgan McCarthy, Katie Collins and Ali Bateman, who scored for the first time this season.
Stanford tied it 10-10 with four straight goals, Hilcoff gave Oregon a brief lead, the Cardinal tied it again and Stump and Hilcoff put the Ducks back in front 13-11. From that point on, though, Stanford win six of the last seven draw controls in the game, allowing the Cardinal to dominate possession time and complete the comeback.
"I think we got tired," Hoffman said, "and gave them opportunities toward the end I wish we could have back."
Who Stood Out: Hilfcoff scored six goals, one shy of the UO single-game record, giving her 22 through six games this season. The six goals came on 11 shots, two off the UO single-game record. Stump scored three times, and Clarke had four assists plus her first-half goal. Alle Dunbar made eight saves in goal.
What It Means: Following the game, Hoffman said, the Ducks were tired but excited, and eager to build off the encouraging elements of Monday's performance.
She said two of Oregon's veteran defenders, Rachel Williams and Logan Gierke, "did a great job grabbing the team afterward and saying, 'This is the new standard. We can play with any team in the conference.'"
Up Next: The Ducks play at Arizona State on Friday at 1 p.m.