Oregon women’s lacrosse enters the 2026 season with a chip on its shoulder. Now in her third year, head coach Jessica Drummond returns and leans into a home-heavy slate that gives the Ducks an early opportunity to establish a strong dynamic and solidify the starting roster before navigating the brunt of Big Ten play.

The season opens Saturday at Papé Field against Arizona State, a fitting starting point for a team that has made its home turf a competitive advantage. Oregon is 9–0 all-time in season openers at Papé Field, and 10 of its 16 regular-season games in 2026 will be played at home. 

At the center of that control is senior midfielder Rachel Pallo, one of the most impactful possession players in program history. Pallo averaged 3.79 draw controls per game, the best ever by a Duck, and finished last season with 86 draw controls, the second-most in a single season at Oregon. The Ducks went 5–2 when Pallo recorded six or more draw controls and just 1–7 when she fell below that mark. In wins, Oregon averaged 18.0 draw controls, compared to 10.6 in losses.

Offensively, Oregon replaces graduated scoring leader Bri Carrasquillo but returns its most explosive weapon, senior midfielder Anna Simmons. Scoring 33 goals last season, including 20 in the first four games, the most in any four-game stretch in program history. Simmons tied the Oregon single-game record with seven goals against Stetson and finished as one of only seven players nationally to post at least 30 goals, 21 ground balls, and 15 caused turnovers. Her skills have made her the focal point of Oregon’s attack and earned her Big Ten Midfielder of the Week honors in each of the first three weeks of the 2025 season.

Simmons is joined by an offensive group that includes attackers graduate Kylee Manser, redshirt seniors Emma Ing and Riley Taylor and junior Gabby Santucci. Santucci’s return is especially notable after an injury-shortened sophomore campaign in which she still scored 15 goals in five games, including three hat tricks. She previously led all Oregon freshmen in scoring during the 2024 season.

Defensively, the Ducks look solid after forcing a season-high 13 caused turnovers against Central Michigan University and recorded 24 ground balls twice, last season. Midfielder Lexi Jenkins, the only junior for Oregon’s on the 2026 captains list, after starting 31 consecutive games and finishing last season with 36 draw controls, 20 ground balls, and a career-high 14 caused turnovers. Graduate transfer defender Shelby Hahn, who started all 17 games at her previous school, Marist University, last season, adds experience, while a younger defensive group featuring sophomore Hailey Russell, junior McKenna Cunnington, and junior Carly Coopman continues to develop.

In goal, Oregon has plenty of options. Kate Shields returns after gaining experience as a freshmen, while transfer red shirt junior Francesca Viteritti arrives from Stony Brook and freshman Kaley Gunning adds more depth. The Ducks recorded a season-high 17 saves twice last year, both against Big Ten opponents.

The schedule gives Oregon room to grow before that challenge of the Big Ten arrives. After early games against Arizona State, Fairleigh Dickinson, and San Diego State, the Ducks settle into a seven-game homestand that includes California, Eastern Michigan, UC Davis, Delaware State, and Kent State and Big Ten play begins with home matchups against Maryland and Northwestern. Then followed by a road stretch against Big Ten opponents Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Rutgers.

By the time Oregon closes the regular season at home against USC, the Ducks will know exactly who they are. Oregon enters 2026 positioned to turn the chip on its shoulder into a showing in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.