The University of Redlands women's lacrosse team battled it out with Pacific University (OR) on Thursday afternoon, earning a 15-9 victory over the Boxers in Forest Grove, OR, to begin its two-game swing in Oregon. With the score knotted at eight apiece early in the second half, the Bulldogs fired off a 7-1 run to pull away and earn the important regional victory.
Redlands garnered a 6-2 lead midway through the first half, with a well-rounded attack that included goals from six different players. Junior attack player Dulce Moll (Mercer Island, WA) provided a goal and an assist during this 16-minute stretch.
However, Pacific answered with a 4-1 run to cut the deficit to only one at the halftime break.
The teams traded scores through the opening five minutes of the second half, which resulted in an even tally at eight-all.
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs stepped up their stifling defense, while the offense fired off five-straight goals to earn a 13-8 lead with 7:42 remaining in the game. Moll initiated the run with her goal, which came off of freshman attack player Kelsey Ruhl's (Seattle, WA) assist.
Four minutes later, senior midfielder Stephanie Garrett (San Diego, CA) found the back of the net on a free-position shot, before senior midfielder Sam Keary (Mission Viejo, CA) followed suit with her own successful attempt. Garrett and Moll then teamed up to complete the Bulldog hat trick in a 62-second span.
Sophomore midfielder Lacey Bjorndal (Sherwood, OR) capped off the Maroon and Gray's scoring spree with her netter with 7:42 left on the second-half clock.
After Pacific pulled one back, Garrett and freshman attack player Hayley Donnelly (Bellaire, TX) uncorked the final two goals of the game to put Redlands well in front for the 15-9 decision.
Overall, Garrett fired off six goals on only eight shots while snagging four draw controls and two ground balls. Keary, Moll, Donnelly, and Bjorndal each registered two scores. Freshman Hanna Morford added a goal, three draw controls, three ground balls, and three caused turnovers. In addition, senior midfielder Ellen Holt (Happy Valley, OR) provided three caused turnovers, an assist, and six ground balls.
Senior goalkeeper Izzy Baez (Zionsville, IN) and sophomore goalkeeper Quinn Egan (Greenwood Village, CO) split time in the cage, earning four and five saves, respectively. The duo combined for a 10-for-12 showing on clears.
Redlands (7-4) continues its trip through the Pacific Northwest by squaring off against George Fox University (OR) on Saturday, March 26, at 11 a.m. in Newberg, Oregon.
