Oregon’s women’s lacrosse team will face Eastern Michigan at Papé Field in Eugene on Sunday, continuing a series of home games. The Ducks, with a current record of 3-1, aim to secure their second consecutive victory over the Eagles, following last season’s 13-11 win in Ypsilanti.
The game is scheduled for noon Pacific Time and will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus (https://www.bigtenplus.com/en-int/livestream/arizona-st-at-oregon/2080462), with live statistics available online (https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=ore).
Under head coach Jessica Drummond, Oregon began the season with three straight wins for the third year in a row before experiencing a loss to California earlier this week. This match marks Eastern Michigan’s first visit to Eugene and is the second meeting between the two programs.
Team leadership includes four captains: seniors Anna Simmons and Rachel Pallo, junior Lexi Jenkins, and Avery Young. Simmons tied a program record with seven goals against Stetson last season and was recognized as the Big Ten Midfielder of the Week in consecutive weeks for her performance this year. “Leading the offensive charge in Oregon’s massive comeback win against Arizona State, the Washington native scored three goals to cap the Ducks’ 6-0 scoring run at the end of regulation play and then secured the sudden-death win for Oregon, netting her fourth score off a free-position shot with 15 seconds on the clock in overtime.” Simmons continued her form by adding two goals each in subsequent games.
Rachel Pallo led in draw controls last season and holds several records within the program. Jenkins has started 35 consecutive games and recently transitioned from defense to midfield. Young returned from injury to contribute early goals in Oregon’s recent win over San Diego State.
Fifteen players have scored for Oregon so far this season. Anna Simmons and Emma Ing lead with ten goals each; Ing scored six times against San Diego State—the most by any Duck in a single game this year. Gabby Santucci has six goals while Liv Kozitza has added four. Freshmen Nya McElroye and Caitlin Beckman also found early success, scoring in their first two games.
Goalkeeper Kate Shields played an important role during Oregon’s overtime victory against Arizona State. She made ten saves after taking over at the start of the second quarter—just one short of her career best—and has been credited as goalkeeper for all three wins this season, posting a .472 save percentage through four matches.
The Ducks continue their homestand as they prepare to host seven straight opponents at Papé Field.
