It wasn’t smooth sailing this time for Oregon women’s lacrosse. Although it seemed headed in that direction. After a 18-1 beatdown over Presbyterian on Friday, the Ducks outpaced High Point and grabbed an 8-3 lead in the second half of its game Sunday.
However, the five-point advantage quickly crumbled and with under five minutes remaining in regulation, the score was tied at 8.
But, Hayley Milner made sure the Ducks wouldn’t be on the wrong side of a comeback victory. Milner, who recorded a hat-trick in the season’s opener, found the back of the net with 4:11 remaining in the game, and the Ducks defense knuckled down, to secure a 9-8 win at Vert Stadium in High Point, South Carolina. 
For Milner, it was her second consecutive multi-goal game.
High Point opened the scoring Sunday, but Oregon’s Carly O’Connell answered each score with a goal of her own. 
Courtney Valdez then gave Oregon its first lead, 3-2, on a free position shot and the Ducks went into the locker room at halftime up 5-3.
Goals from Milner, Olivia Pyne and Rachel Steinberg extended their lead to 8-3 in the second half. But in just under 15 minutes, the Panthers were able to erase all of that.
However, after Milner retook the lead, Oregon’s defense denied any chance of a comeback occurring again. Janelle Parker finished with five saves and the Ducks defense forced 17 turnovers. All of which, ensured that the Ducks would come home on its first road trip of the season undefeated (2-0).
Oregon’s next contest will come on Feb. 28 when it hosts San Diego State. The game will be the start of a five game home stand for the Ducks.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise