The No. 3 Oregon men’s club lacrosse team outscored two of its conference opponents 36-9 over the weekend to boost its record to 15-2 overall and 6-0 in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League.
The Ducks defeated Gonzaga (6-5, 1-4 PNCLL) 18-4 in Spokane, Wash., on Saturday.
About the only thing the Bulldogs took from the Ducks was the match’s first score.
Oregon proved its dominance over Gonzaga in the long haul by sprinting out to an 8-1 lead by halftime. The Ducks won every face-off and withheld offensive opportunities from Gonzaga in the first half and ripped through 10 more goals in the second to seal their 14th win of the year.
“It was more of just a slow start for us,” coach Joe Kerwin said. “After a long trip like that it takes a while to shake off the bus legs. I wasn’t too concerned. I have a lot of confidence in our team.”
Ryan Warren and Josh Schane each scored four goals and Warren also recorded an assist against the Bulldogs. Trevor Tesar earned four points off a goal and three assists and PNCLL Division A scoring leader Julian Coffman contributed two goals and two assists.
Scott Miller, whom Kerwin called one of the best in the country at face-offs, went 11-for-12 against Gonzaga.
Oregon beat Idaho (0-7, 0-5 PNCLL) 18-5 in its season finale in Moscow, Idaho, on Sunday.
The Ducks hold the top record in the PNCLL, while league foe Simon Fraser is second at 8-1 overall and 5-1 in league action.
Coffman led the way in the victory against the Vandals with nine points off five goals and four assists. Chad Loescher scored three goals and Austin Loranger added two goals and an assist. Backup goalkeeper Ben Finger earned seven saves in the second half while sharing minutes with reserve keeper Ben Harvey.
“It was good to get those guys some time,” Kerwin said.
Next on tap for the Ducks is the PNCLL Tournament at Curtis High School in Tacoma, Wash., April 28-29. Oregon has won the tournament the last three years.