Los Angeles, CA – In a commanding performance despite the challenging weather conditions, the Occidental women's lacrosse team secured a decisive 20-5 victory over California Lutheran University last Wednesday night.
From the outset, Oxy asserted their dominance by netting the first four goals of the game, setting the tone for the remainder of the match. Though the Regals managed to get on the scoreboard, the Tigers consistently outpaced and outplayed their opponents in each period.
By halftime, Occidental had established a commanding 13-1 lead. However, California Lutheran capitalized on a power play opportunity to notch two quick goals at the start of the second half. Determined to maintain control, the Tigers swiftly responded, with Gabriella Acker finding the net assisted by Maeve Moylan, following a turnover forced by Ariel Shweiki.
Oxy continued to press forward, adding two more goals before allowing the Regals another scoring opportunity at the end of the third period.
Despite the conditions, both teams battled on through the downpour. In a testament to their resilience, the Tigers maintained their offensive pressure, with defensive players Ashley Fletcher and Ellie Mahoney contributing to the scoring in the final moments of the game.
Olivia Okamoto delivered a standout performance, nearly breaking a team scoring record with an impressive seven goals in the game. Close behind her in scoring was Ava Whelan, who showcased her accuracy with four goals from four shots, boasting a perfect scoring percentage. Whelan also excelled in the draw controls department, securing eight possessions for the Tigers. Additionally, she demonstrated her defensive prowess with three caused turnovers and one ground ball.
On the defensive side, Mahoney stood out with three caused turnovers, three ground balls, and also snagged three draw controls, significantly contributing to Oxy dominance throughout the match.
Overall, it was a comprehensive team effort from the Occidental women's lacrosse team, displaying their skill, resilience, and determination in adverse conditions to secure a well-deserved victory.
