The Oregon Ducks women’s lacrosse team will conclude a seven-game homestand with a conference game against the No. 11 ranked Northwestern Wildcats on March 22 at Papé Field in Eugene.
This matchup is significant as it marks the first time Northwestern will play in Eugene, and Oregon is still seeking its first win against the Wildcats after three previous meetings. The most recent contest between the teams ended in a 10-19 loss for Oregon last season.
Oregon, currently holding a 6-3 record overall and 0-1 in conference play, faces tough competition as members of the Big Ten Conference. Seven Big Ten teams are ranked in the IWLCA Top-25, including No. 3 Maryland, who recently visited Eugene. In that game, Gabby Santucci scored a hat trick and goalkeeper Francesca Viteritti anchored a defense that caused 15 turnovers.
Eighteen different Ducks have scored this season, with Anna Simmons leading at 17 goals. Santucci, Emma Ing, and Lyla Hurley have also reached double digits in goals. Ing’s six-goal performance against San Diego State stands out as the highest by an Oregon player this year. Lilly Fortin leads with assists and has contributed eight goals so far.
Viteritti has emerged as a key player since transferring to Oregon, earning three consecutive wins after her breakout game against UC Davis. She has maintained a goals-against average of 9.69, ranking fifth best in the Big Ten.
Senior Anna Simmons was named Big Ten Midfielder of the Week for each of the first three weeks of the season and has scored at least two goals in seven of eight games this year. She joined Lexi Jenkins and Gabby Santucci on the Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch list.
The Ducks’ defense recently held Kent State to just one goal—the fourth time in program history they have limited an opponent to one or fewer scores—and recorded their largest margin of victory this season with a dominant win over Delaware State.
Looking ahead, Oregon aims to secure its first conference win while building on strong individual performances and team depth.
