PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's lacrosse (6-3, 1-0) muscled a 10-6 victory at Oregon (5-4, 0-2) to open Big Ten Conference action on Sunday in Eugene. The Scarlet Knights held the Ducks to just two goals in the final 30 minutes of action and forced 14 turnovers to secure their first league win of the season.
 
Junior Lily Dixon finished with a team-high three points on two goals and an assist, while senior Alexa Corbin and freshman Caroline Ling both had two scores. Ling was one of four rookies to net goals against Oregon, joining Caitlin Collins, Hilary Elsner and Delainey Sutley.
 
Freshman Bianca Chiarella caused a game-high three turnovers, While Dixon added two. Graduate goalkeeper Lexie Coldiron registered her sixth win of the season with five saves and just six goals allowed.
 
Rutgers used a fast start to take control early, opening with a 4-0 scoring run in the first 10 minutes of action. The run featured four different goal scorers, as sophomore Payton Tini drilled a goal off a pass from Dixon to give the Scarlet Knights a 4-0 lead with 5:40 left in the opening quarter. Dixon and Elsner both added goals down the stretch, as RU took a 6-1 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Ducks scored three consecutive goals off the first break, getting to within 6-4 before Rutgers ended the first half with back-to-back goals from Corbin and Ling. Lind's second of the day provided the Scarlet Knights with an 8-4 lead at halftime.
 
Offense was at a premium in the second half, as Collins and Corbin scored the only goals of the third quarter. A late goal from Oregon with seven minutes remaining made it 10-6, but RU's defense held strong down the stretch for the win.
 
Up Next
Rutgers returns home to host Temple on Thursday at SHI Stadium. First draw is set for 7 p.m., with the game streamed on Big Ten Plus.