Seniors Honored At Final Home Game
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon made a comeback at the end of the first half to tie the game at seven, but the Ducks couldn't overcome a second half surge from No. 17 USC and fell 16-9 in their final home game.
The Ducks honored their six seniors – Brooke Rooney, Lily Shalz, Shonly Wallace, Lillian Stump, Sydney Lawrence, and Abby Buczek – in a pregame ceremony. All six started the game.
How it Happened: The Trojans controlled the early minutes of the game, going on a 4-0 run to open it. Oregon appeared to halt the run at three when Morgan McCarthy put away a would-be goal, but McCarthy's stick failed the post-goal inspection and the Trojans scored their fourth goal on the ensuing possession.
Oregon regained some momentum late in the first quarter, going on a 3-1 run into the early minutes of the second quarter. The Ducks moved the ball well against USC's zone defense with Bailey Smith assisting Hanna Hilcoff as well as two free-position goals from Katie Collins and Shonly Wallace.
USC countered with a goal to go up 6-3 with 9:14 left in the half, but UO dominated the remainder of the period. Four different Ducks scored with the tying goal coming when Haley Cummins leapt up to grab a loose ball before depositing it into the back of the net. Paige Crowther was stellar on the other end of the field, making four saves and allowing just a single goal in the final 9:14.
The Trojans responded in the second half, dominating the third quarter and outscoring the Ducks 5-1. USC won four of the period's five draw controls and forced four turnovers, giving the Trojans enough possessions to overcome Crowther making five saves in the quarter.
USC won the majority of draw controls again in the fourth quarter, taking four of six and turning them into four goals. Wallace scored Oregon's lone goal in the period, putting away a free-position opportunity for her second goal of the game.
Up Next: The Ducks hit the road for their final regular season game. Oregon takes on Colorado on Friday, April 22 at 3 p.m. The game will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.