Oregon women’s lacrosse hasn’t started Big Ten play in the fashion it hoped for, but the first half of the season still proved promising for the future of the young squad.
While Bri Carrasquillo, one of the Ducks’ top leaders in points and goals, is a graduate student, most of the team’s top contributors have multiple years of eligibility left. Sophomore attacker Gabby Santucci, for example, was third on the team in goals before she went down with an injury.
“You see how tough she is. She’s strong, she’s gritty,” head coach Jessica Drummond said postgame in an interview with KWVA after the Ducks’ first Big Ten game against Ohio State. “I’m just really proud of how much she shows up and competes every game.”
Santucci scored 15 goals across the difficult stretch of three games against the University of California, Davis, San Diego State University and Ohio State when Oregon recorded a 1-2 record. Her hot streak had her tied for the most goals on the team across that three-game stretch. Attacker Lyla Hurley joins Santucci as another bright spot in the sophomore class, sitting at third in points through 10 games.
On the defensive side of the field, senior Paige Crowther has commanded the starting goalkeeper position this season, but freshman Kate Shields showed flashes of potential. Shields subbed on with Oregon down five goals in a comeback non-conference victory over San Diego State University. She ended the game with 11 saves and was credited with her first collegiate win.
“One moment I was there cheering for my teammates and the team on the sideline, and then Coach Drummond looked over at me and said, ‘Go get warmed up,’” Shields said, according to GoDucks. “I kind of just took that as I have to warm up quickly, go in and help the team turn it around.”
The Big Ten named Shields Freshman of the Week on March 11 after her outing versus the Aztecs. The current freshman class is full of contributors like Shields who’ve helped the Ducks to gritty performances. Midfielder Liv Kozitza has scored double-digit goals off the bench this season and both Hazel Baker and Audrey Thompson scored in limited playing time, while Ella Lewandowski has been a defensive stalwart since the start of conference play.
The Ducks lost their last three home games and have been riddled with injuries. Captains Anna Simmons and Rachel Pallo will be seniors next season alongside the current underclassmen who now have a taste of what it takes to be successful in the Big Ten.
