STANFORD, Calif. – From the opening whistle, Lucy Dikeou impacted Stanford’s 15-10 women’s lacrosse victory over Oregon on Thursday.
She won the draw, pushed forward and fed Mackenzie Tesei, whose free-position goal put Stanford ahead for good only 14 seconds in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation victory at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
Stanford (8-2 overall, 4-0 MPSF) took a 4-0 lead only six minutes into the game and built it to 8-1 on the way to the wire-to-wire victory that pulled the Cardinal into a three-way tie with San Diego State and USC – next weekend’s opponents – for first.
Dikeou, Stanford’s leading scorer, would normally be counted on for a handful of goals. But on this night, she realized early that her contributions must come in other areas. Her teammates were doing fine on the offensive end. In fact, nine Stanford players have scored at least 10 goals this season.
Mackenzie Tesei continued her torrid shooting, equaling her career-high of four goals – a total she has achieved twice in the past three games. Hannah Farr had three goals, and Alexandra Crerend and Maggie Nick two apiece.
“Everybody was doing well getting to the goal,” said Dikeou, who has 22 goals, including one Thursday. “And I missed one early, but I felt I can still help in every way I can.”
She did, controlling eight draws and causing three turnovers in doing the dirty work necessary for Stanford to maintain its early lead.
Stanford dominated the draw, winning that category, 22-4. In fact, Stanford entered the game fifth in the nation in draw controls, averaging 15.11 per game.
In practice, Dikeou has been working with freshman Kelly Myers, who takes many of the draws, and learning to play off her pulls and get in the best positions to win the ball.
“We do a good job of securing the draw when we make it a two-man game,” Dikeou said. “This is the first time where we’re really working together. It’s not the two of us. I won two of them today because Hannah Farr got two great box-outs.”
The emphasis on the draw is crucial. Momentum in lacrosse can swing wildly based on which team can control possession.
“People who don’t necessarily follow lacrosse don’t understand that the draw determines the flow of the entire game,” she said.
Over the past three games, Stanford has played with a sharp focus and sense of purpose. It’s been evident in its fast starts and sturdy overall efforts, especially on defense. During one sequence Thursday, Oregon looked to have space in the fan to drive toward, but the Ducks attackers were intercepted by Adrienne Anderson and then Farr, eventually forcing them all the way to outside edge of the zone.
“We definitely focused on draws,” Stanford coach Amy Bokker said. “And on committing fewer fouls and playing good team defense. We just need to take better care of the ball, to play smart.”
Even with the comfortable lead, Oregon closed to within 14-10 with 3:35 left before Alex Poplawski scored the clincher for the final margin.
Dikeou won the opening draw, which led to Stanford’s first goal, on a free-position shot by Tesei, only 14 seconds into the game. Rachel Ozer, Farr, and Tesei again added to the total before Oregon scored its first goal. The lead built to 8-1 in the first half and 13-5 in the second before the Ducks closed to with 14-10 with 3:35 left. Alex Poplawski iced the game shortly after.
* * *
Stanford 15, Oregon 10
Oregon 3 7 – 10
Stanford 10 5 – 15
Oregon (goals-assists): Olivia Pyne 2-0, Holly Johnson 2-0, Casey Brogan 2-0, Devon Frazer 1-1, Courtney Valdez 1-0, Carly O’Connell 1-0, Hayley Milner 1-0, Cambi Cukar 0-2. Totals 10-3.
Stanford: Mackenzie Tesei 4-0, Hannah Farr 3-0, Alexandra Crerend 2-1, Maggie Nick 2-0, Rachel Ozer 1-1, Alex Poplawski 1-1, Lucy Dikeou 1-1, Kyle Fraser 1-0, Dillon Schoen 0-1, Emily Newstrom 0-1. Totals 15-6.
Records: Stanford 8-2, 4-0; Oregon 9-5,3-3.
