Washington is looking for its first league win this weekend against the Oregon men’s lacrosse team, but the Ducks are going to have something to say about that.
The Ducks are currently 3-2 overall and 3-1 in league play, whereas the Huskies are 2-2 overall and 0-2 in conference games. Also, Washington might be somewhat angry, considering it lost to Washington State last weekend in triple overtime.
“It’s going to be a close game,” coach Josh Barbour said. “It’s not going to be easy, but I think we will come out on top.”
Barbour mentioned how strong the players have been, including goalie Mike Zienkewics, attackers Jared Blanchette and Doug Hamilton, and mid-fielders Pat O’Donnel and Josh Waldman. Barbour also praised defensive player Jeff Schmid, an All-League defense last year who will play his first game this season after recovering from an injury.
The men came off a tough game against Whitman last weekend, where they started slow, trailing 5-1 after the first. Oregon roared back and trailed 7-6 by the end of three, but Whitman stayed on top and defeated the Ducks 9-8.
“We need to watch our penalties against Washington,” Barbour said. “It hurt us against Whitman.”
The Ducks and the Huskies will face off in the anticipated battle at 1 p.m. Saturday outside the Student Recreation Center on the turf field.

Men’s rugby
The Oregon men’s rugby team will be in for a challenge this weekend as it plays California, one the best teams in the country, in Eugene.
The Ducks are coming off a strong win against Central Washington and are playing well together, but Cal hasn’t lost a game in the past few years.
Oregon head coach Bob Snyder compared the Ducks to being on the level of Sacramento State. The last time the Golden Bears and Sacramento met, Cal won 36-0, which puts things somewhat in perspective for the Ducks.
“It will be a respectable game, but we can’t compare ourselves to them,” Snyder said.
This matchup will definitely give the Ducks more experience, which will help them to ensure a spot in the national tournament. The only thing left standing in their way is Oregon State next weekend, because the game against Cal won’t alter their national chances.
“If we can stay in the game for 80 minutes, I don’t care what the score is,” Snyder said.

Women’s rugby
When one is 2-0, and the combined scores of the wins add to 175-0, it would seem that one shouldn’t have much to worry about. But the Oregon women’s rugby team is expecting strength from Washington State this weekend.
“This is definitely going to be a lot more challenging,” coordinator Shelby Frail said. “They have a really solid program.”
The Ducks realize that Washington is a much more experienced team compared to the other teams they won against, but the women feel prepared for whatever comes their way. The last time these two teams met was last season, and the Ducks were victorious.
“If we take them lightly, we could be in trouble,” coach Greg Farrell said. “They [Ducks] need to keep their intensity going and have another good day.”
In the women’s past few matchups, they felt as if they had been playing more of a back game, according to Frail. Against the Cougars, she expects to see a lot more play from the forward side. The women will go head-to-head with Washington State Saturday on Southbank field at 2:30 p.m.
“We expect a very good squad from Washington State,” Farrell said. “I need 80 serious minutes out of my team to win.”