After finding Courtney Valedez to make her ninth assist of the game, senior Shannon Propst become Oregon’s all-time assist leader, as the Ducks went on to win their season opener against Stetson 20-3.
Propst’s assist to Valedez marked the 79th of her career, surpassing Kristina Barrett who played from 2009-12. In addition, Propst’s nine assists tied her for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation’s single-game assists record set by Jill Remenapp of Denver last year.
“I have to give my teammates all the credit because they were the ones getting open and finishing the shots,” Propst told GoDucks.com.
Propst’s performance today solidified that she has the ability to lead Oregon this year on offense. Propst is one of seven seniors on the team that Oregon will look to for a spark this upcoming season.
Oregon was originally set to play their game on Sunday, but were forced to reschedule to Monday due to travel plans being effected by the snow.
“After a challenging travel schedule with the weather we had in Eugene, I was just super proud of how the team executed from the start,” head coach Jen Beck told GoDucks.com.
Oregon was dominant on both sides of the field, outshooting the Hattters 39-6 and forcing Stetson to commit 24 turnovers.
Due to midfielder Carly O’Connell at the circle for Oregon, the Ducks were able to control draws 14-11.
O’Connell also got the Ducks off to a quick start, scoring Oregon’s first goal within the first 32 seconds of the game off a free position shot.
“She just loves to play lacrosse,” Beck told GoDucks.com. “She just dominates the draws and makes play on both ends of the field for us.”
Oregon scored 12 straight goals before Stetson knocked in two before the half.
The Ducks were able to keep up the pace in the second half, earning the win in their first game of the season.
Also contributing to the offense was senior Nikki Puszcz who scored four goals, while Valdez tallied three. Hayley Minor and Holly Johnson each had two goals.
The Ducks will face Coastal Carolina in Jacksonville, Fla. today at 8:30 a.m.
Follow Beth Maiman on Twitter @bethamaiman