Oregon (5-3, 2-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) defeated Vermont (1-4, 0-0) 20-12 in its highest-scoring match of the season Monday to remain undefeated at home.
Sophomore Ilsa van den Berg netted a game-high five goals and junior Theresa Waldron scored a game-high eight points off three goals and five assists to drive the Ducks’ home record to 4-0 this season. The victory played out similarly to Oregon’s last win, which came against St. Bonaventure last Thursday.
In front of about 215 in attendance at Papé Field, Oregon burst out to a 4-0 advantage against the Catamounts. Junior Jen May, who had two goals and three assists, scored 36 seconds into the match and senior Brooke Dieringer, who nailed three goals in the opening minutes against the Bonnies in Oregon’s last game, put up a near repeat performance, scoring two goals in the match’s first seven minutes.
The Ducks ended the half on a five-goal run and possessed a 13-4 advantage at halftime. Against St. Bonaventure, Oregon capped the first half off with a six-goal run. But the Ducks would leave the door open for Vermont, just like when Oregon allowed the Bonnies to get as close as 11-9 with just over six minutes remaining after leading 9-4 at the half.
After trailing 16-5 with about 17:22 remaining, the Catamounts ignited a streak of their own, scoring five goals in the period from 17:22-10:20 in the second half, chopping Oregon’s lead down to 16-10. Oregon fended off any further attempts by Vermont by outscoring it 4-2 beginning at the 8:41 mark to seal the victory.
Dieringer wrapped up her night with three goals and four other Oregon players added two goals. Sophomore Alison Leiner poured in three assists.
Oregon outshot Vermont 33-27 and committed seven fewer turnovers (23-16) than the Catamounts. Freshman Sam Debow made seven saves and allowed 12 goals in all 60 minutes of action.
Vermont’s Kristen Millar paced the Catamounts with four goals and tied teammate Emilie Clark, who had one goal and three assists, for a team-high in total points.
The Ducks next play Longwood Thursday at 7 p.m. at Papé Field. Before that match, St. Bonaventure will compete against Vermont at 5 p.m.