Lauren Rismani was as cool as they come.
The junior attacker had just played nearly the entire 60 minutes of a hectic and draining game. She had run end-to-end distributing slick passes and setting up an offense that had just added 17 goals on a previously stout UC Davis defense.
Was Rismani fatigued? Without a doubt, but the junior attacker didn’t hesitate when asked what a win on home field meant.
“It just feels good to win.” Rismani said with a laugh.
The two-week hiatus between victories was brief, but for these Ducks it was like an eternity of anguish.The end of which they received in a big way. Oregon (7-3, 1-2 Pac-12) dictated pace of play and thrashed UC Davis (8-4, 1-2 Pac-12) 17-7 in the Ducks’ first win of conference play.
Anna Simmons netted the first of an onslaught of goals for the Ducks. The star sophomore spun past a pair of UC Davis defenders, found her way to the middle of the zone, and uncorked a sizzling shot past Mustang goalkeeper Ashley Laing. Simmons celebrated by emphatically slamming her stick down in celebration of her highlight-reel goal.
It was clear from the get-go — the Ducks were feeling it and the good vibes wouldn’t stop there.
Simmons’ goal was followed by seven more Ducks’ scores. Oregon scored from all over the field as the Mustangs’ defense looked hapless.
The Mustangs finally got on the board with 2:15 remaining in the first quarter as Natalie Markman fired a shot past Thayer Hubbard. Markman’s score was only met with more Ducks’ retribution as Anna Simmons scored off the ensuing draw.
UC Davis had no answer for Oregon, the Mustang’s body language — and performance — certainly did not reflect a team that had won eight of its previous ten games. Their defense looked disengaged, their offense was nonexistent. Seven different Ducks got involved in the scoring in the first quarter alone during an opening frame that saw Oregon lead 10-1 at its conclusion.
“Ten goals, that was awesome,” Drummond said. “To come out guns blazing was great.”
“Our dodges were great,” Rismani said. “ I’m just really proud of this team.”
Oregon wore its gray uniforms Saturday, the likes of which only proved ominous for the visitors. It was an absolute bloodbath at Papé Field, a result which was largely unexpected. UC Davis entered the contest ranking third in the conference but looked disjointed throughout. Oregon on the other hand was in complete cohesion.
Eight different Ducks added tallies, Morgan McCarthy and Haley Cummins both added hat tricks.
Oregon was able to clear its zone a perfect 13 out of 13 times and was largely clean with just nine turnovers on the day.
“I feel like that was a complete team win.” Drummond said.
Hubbard was in net for The Ducks and was solid although untested. She stopped three of five shots faced and — due to the lopsided score — was relieved by Cassidy Hubbard to begin the second half.
Eckert had an average day in relief of Hubbard as she allowed five goals on eight shots.
Drummond noted that the Ducks had worked on shooting over the week leading up to the game. The results of which paid huge dividends, Laing got the start for the Mustangs and had an entirely lackluster day. She did not register a save, allowed ten goals, and was mercifully relieved by Ally Richardson-Pepper to begin the second quarter.
Both teams added three goals in the third and two in the fourth, the likes of which were largely insignificant as the field was littered with substitutions with the score so far out of reach.
“I’m very happy,” Drummond said. “I think we could have cleaned up a bit in the second half, but that’s just my coach’s vibes of always always finding something to get better at.”
Drummond’s squad had previously struggled in conference play with the Ducks combining for just 15 goals in their previous two contests. The first-year head coach hopes Rismani’s presence aids the continuity of Saturday’s offensive explosion.
“She just knows where to put the ball, she sees the field so well.” Drummond said of Rismani.
The Ducks remain home to face No.17 USC (8-3, 2-0 Pac-12) next Saturday at 12 p.m.
