Ducks Drop Regular Season Finale

BOULDER, Colo. — Oregon lacrosse was dealt a 20-8 loss by No. 23 Colorado in Friday night's regular-season finale on the road.
 
The Buffs (11-5, 5-2 Pac-12) outshot the Ducks (8-6, 2-5 Pac-12) 36-14, with 31 of those shots being on target. An eight-goal second quarter for Colorado led to a 12-2 scoring run between the first and third quarters, allowing the home team to take control of the game. Morgan McCarthy scored three second-half goals to limit the damage, but the Buffs scored four of the final five goals of the game to put it out of reach for the Ducks.
 
McCarthy scored four goals in the game on just five shots and Alyssa Wright notched two assists in the second half to lead Oregon offensively. Defensively, Sydnie Soto caused two turnovers and the Duck goalkeepers combined for 11 saves.
 
Oregon will now rely on other outcomes in the Pac-12 in order to qualify for next week's conference tournament. The Ducks need a loss from San Diego State, who plays No. 21 USC on Saturday, to secure a spot in the tournament.
 
How it Happened: Colorado opened the scoring with a goal in the game's first two minutes, but Oregon answered with a wrap-around effort from Haley Cummins while playing a woman down to tie it. The Buffs scored a pair of quick goals in response, but Gabby Santucci and McCarthy helped the Ducks score two of the game's next three goals to keep pace.
 
At the 1:13 mark in the first quarter, Colorado scored scored a goal that began a 12-2 run across the next 29:32 of gametime, opening up a 16-5 lead for the Buffs. McCarthy put a stop to the run with back-to-back goals, cutting the lead to single digits, but Colorado scored four of the final five goals of the game to end it.
  
Up Next: Oregon will learn if it has qualified for the Pac-12 Tournament following the conclusion of the remaining conference regular-season games on Saturday.