EUGENE, Ore. – The skies were almost entirely clear at Pape Field as USC defeated Oregon by a score of 15-10. Behind dominant performances from Hollis Mulry and Anna Regan, the Trojans looked like the better team as they finished off the regular season with a win. Oregon was looking to wrap up its season on a high note as they hosted the former Pac-12, now Big Ten rival — coming into Saturday on a seven game losing streak, with six of those opponents ranked in the nation's top 25. On the other side, the Trojans have had similar worries while being 1-6 in their last seven. It was the first and only conference win in the season for Southern California.
It was also senior day for the Ducks as six players – Rachel Pallo, Kylee Manser, Jenae Sperling, Jadyn Laing, Shelby Hahn and Anna Simmons – were honored following the match for their achievements, contributions and commitment to the team during their time in Eugene.
USC set the tone early as it came out and took a 4-2 lead with just under six minutes to go in the first quarter. Mulry, Emma Bunting and Regan all contributed to help the visitors come out on the front foot from the opening draw. The Ducks created multiple opportunities to counter attack or have a decent look, but struggled to find the back of the net. They were unable to close the gap, and the score remained the same as the first period came to an end.
To start the second quarter, USC continued its determined play behind goals from Alex May, Regan and Haley Newton, extending the lead to 7-2. However, Oregon then responded with three goals of its own courtesy of a Lyla Hurley, and two free position goals from Simmons and Liv Kozitza. The home team continued to keep its momentum with multiple attempts at goal that would help chip away at the lead, but they couldn’t push all the way through. The Ducks would attempt to take momentum into the locker room as they defensively dominated the last possession, but would still trail USC by 3 heading into the half.
“Just don’t stop believing — that’s kinda just our vibe,” head coach Jessica Drummond said when asked about her messaging to the team at halftime. “Take advantage of those moments when we’re out there together, to play connected, play for each other, play with each other.”
The Trojans started the second half with aggression and took control of the game with a 11-5 lead with 6:55 left to go in the third quarter. Mulry, Regan and Reese Robinson continued to score and make plays for their teammates, as Oregon simply couldn’t slow down the attack.
At just under the five minute mark, Lilly Fortin got on the board to help regain a grip on the game for the home team. However, play was stopped and there was a lengthy stoppage to review whether or not the goal would stand, changing the flow of the game. This was a well-timed coincidence for the Ducks as a change to regroup, change tactics, and come out swinging.
Instead of capitalizing on the opportunity, the last four minutes of the third quarter was minimally different with USC adding another goal. Oregon nearly had a free position opportunity at the very end of the quarter to cut the deficit to five, but the contact was deemed to have occurred after time expired.
A lively Pape crowd continued to rally behind the team as they entered the fourth, looking for a way to give the team and its seniors the boost they needed to potentially fight back and win the game. With the clock slowly ticking down to the final buzzer, the Ducks and Trojans fought till the end with USC scoring three and Oregon scoring four in the final quarter. Kate Shields, who almost had a season high in saves, stopped multiple free position opportunities by the Trojans that kept her team in striking distance.
“We’re just really proud of her showing up and stepping out today.” Drummond said of her keeper's performance in the cage.
While the Ducks spent the last two minutes of regulation flying around the field, producing three goals and three assists, it was ultimately too little, too late as the final horn sounded with the Trojans coming into Eugene and taking the game.
Oregon lacrosse will now turn its attention to the 2027 season as it looks to come back with new and returning talent, aiming to take the next step as a program.
“We talk about how they raise the standard of the program, and they just do that…and that’s something we try to instill in them from the start,” said Drummond of her seniors. "And this senior group has pushed the standard of how we show for practices, and how we show up for games, how we show up with a positive attitude and keep going after it.”