LA GRANDE, Ore. – Mountaineer Women's Lacrosse dropped an 18-2 contest Sunday afternoon, falling against NCAA Division III foe Linfield University. With the loss, Eastern Oregon is now 1-2 on the year for the young season.

How it Happened
• Helping the Wildcats in the victory was a fast start on both sides of the ball. Linfield held Eastern scoreless in the first and third frame and scored five or more goals in the first three periods.
• In the first period, the Wildcats stifled the Mounties on defense and held them without a goal. On the flip side, Linfield tacked on seven goals to grab the 7-0 lead after one period.
• The Mountaineers lone goal of the first half came in the final two minutes of the second period. Samantha Buckley found the back of the net at the 1:33 mark on an assist from Madisson Hoyt.
• The Wildcats scored five goals in the second period to lead 12-1 going into the halftime break. In the second half, they scored six more goals to secure the 16-goal win.
• Eastern was unable to find the back of the net in the third period as Linfield continued to pressure on defense. The Wildcats added five goals in the same span and led 17-1 after the third.
• In the fourth period, Buckley once again scored for the Mountaineers to finish with another-multiple goal game. She scored on an assist from Sydney Vopat at the 4:05 mark.
• Linfield added one last goal in the fourth to secure the win. Despite the win, the Wildcats denoted Sunday's game as a scrimmage and it will not count on their official record. 

Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Samantha Buckley scored twice and finished with three shots, with two being on goal.
• Madisson Hoyt had an assist and took three shots. She had two shots on goal. 
• Kate McAfee won five draw controls and finished with two shots, both on goal.
• Goalie Brooklynn Wright (1-2) notched 10 saves.

For the Wildcats
• Maya Wright scored five goals and had two assists.
• Joe Duey finished with three goals and three assists. 
• Bethany Shade won 12 draw controls to go along with a goal scored and an assist.
• In net, Caity Babcock had seven saves.

By the Numbers
3 - Samantha Buckley has now scored multiple goals in all three games this season.
10 - Brooklynn Wright's 10 saves are the lowest in a game early on this year.
3 - All three of the Mountaineers games to start the season have been against NCAA opponents.

Up Next
• Eastern closes out the month of February at the inaugural Whitman Classic, Feb. 27 and 27. The Mountaineers will face two squads in host Whitman College and Whitworth University.
• EOU and Whitman will square off Saturday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. Eastern then has a rematch against Whitworth on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m.

FOLLOW EOU ATHLETICS