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TINY

BIG SOUND BIG

Six local bands performed around campus during winter term ahead of ASUO’s Battle of the Bands

ADDICTION COUNSELING AND RECOVERY SUPPORT FOR YOUTH TO OPEN THIS APRIL

OPENING IN APRIL, INSIGHT NORTHWEST RECOVERY WILL OFFER RECOVERY COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN EUGENE

Insight Northwest Recovery, an outpatient mental health and co-occurring drug and alcohol treatment services center, is set to open in April.

The center, which differs from Insight Northwest Counseling, will offer mental health and addiction treatment for young adults and teenagers from ages 13 to 25. The center will offer outpatient treatment services for those who are in the early stages of recovery and those who would like to achieve long-term sobriety.

There are many different services available in Lane County for those seeking help with mental health or substance abuse, including Willamette Family Inc and NAMI Lane County.

Josh Gotlib, the founder of Insight Northwest Recovery and a licensed professional counselor, said the main reason for opening Insight Northwest Recovery was to have a center where people can seek help for mental health and substance abuse issues.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Anna Smith X327 creative@dailyemerald.com

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Cori Caplinger

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Taylor Baumgardner

ON THE COVER Skoob is a duo comprised of Gabriel Nobis and Skyler Beard. (Lulu Devoulin/ Emerald)

with the university for 13 years, said that there is still a stigma around getting help for one’s mental health, but feels that students at UO are more comfortable talking about their struggles with one another.

“I feel like when I’m talking to students even outside of this center, that they’re more freely talking about their anxiety and depression in a way where I’m like that’s great, because [students] are showing their vulnerability,” Lin said.

UO Counseling Services provides therapy groups, anxiety workshops and an informal one-on-one drop-in consultation service, Let’s Talk, that does not require any paperwork or scheduling.

Gotlib says that in recent years, the approach to recovery has largely been a harm-reduction method. Rather than pushing clients to fully abstain from substance use to enter recovery, harm reduction is a very individualized approach to treatment.

BY ANDRES BAISCH • DESIGNED BY ADALEAH CARMAN (Stella Fetherston/Emerald)

“We’re just starting to turn the page on bringing these things together,” Gotlib said. “You’ll have the landscape of addiction, mental health and psychiatry, these three things are very separate, and what we’re trying to do is bring them together.”

The opportunity with the outpatient treatment program gives patients the ability to not reside at the center, with no mandates or requirements to seek treatment set into rules.

Insight Northwest Recovery will accept most major insurance providers, including Medicaid, and is currently scheduling services for its April opening.

UO third-year student Sarah Golding, who has visited Insight Northwest Counseling for support, said it’s crucial to get help for one’s mental health.

“Getting that help has let me be able to embrace anything that comes my way,” Golding said.

Mariko Lin is the assistant director of the UOs Counseling Services. Lin, who has been

“We’re supporting people at Insight Northwest Recovery in the beginning of their recovery,” Gotlib said. “The hope is that we refer them to either Insight Northwest Counseling or another counselor in the community that understands addiction.”

UO’s campus treatment center is the Collegiate Recovery Center, which offers peer support for students and the opportunity to connect with the recovery community.

The main difference between Insight Northwest Recovery and the Collegiate Recovery Center is that the CRC is not a treatment facility. Insight Northwest Recovery is facilitated by a licensed therapist.

Insight Northwest Recovery will offer individual counseling sessions, family counseling and psychiatry.

“We have a wrap-around approach that’s most intensive,” Gotlib said.

The reopening of Kalapuya Ilihi Hall was delayed until fall 2025 amid continued structural issues in the building. This means that Hamilton Hall will also remain open for another year.

UOPD officers were called to a speaking event with Angela Davis on March 6, which drew a crowd of roughly 2,000, after hundreds of students were unable to attend.

We want to hear from you:

(Molly McPherson/Emerald)

(Alex Hernandez/Emerald)

COX: KEEP OUR STUDENT SECTION CIVIL

OPINION: Derogatory comments take the fun out of supporting our Ducks

BY GRACIE COX • DESIGNED BY GABRIELA MARTINEZ

At the University of Oregon, athletics is an essential aspect of our culture. Few things top an Autzen hotdog or performing “Shout” with your friends. However, when shielded by the anonymity of the student section, some people take their school pride a bit too far.

Targeted toward opposing players, members of our student section often make excessively rude and personal comments. These are entirely invalid comments to make, and additionally, athletes deserve to be treated with common decency, as they are people with emotions and insecurities just like the rest of us.

To nobody’s surprise, some of the most disrespectful comments I’ve heard were made at the men’s basketball game against OSU.

“Fix those braids, man,” said one white UO student to a Black OSU player.

“Is your number [15] your preferred age?” asked another.

Another student said,

“24 is how many hamburgers you ate before coming tonight.”

No matter the circumstance, shouting these questions and statements at another person is inappropriate. The personal commentary adds nothing to the game or anybody else’s spectating experience. I understand and support making punchy comments towards our opponents, but they should be focused on the game at hand, not their appearance or personal lives.

Additionally, in comparison to the NCAA’s sportsmanship guidelines, UO’s student section fails to live up to the national standard of positivity.

The guidelines state, “Today, values such as respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility are key to creating a positive competitive environment for student-athletes across the country. Individual schools and conferences are responsible for creating and maintaining positive competitive environments for student-athletes, coaches, officials and fans at their sponsored events.”

Other than the usual handful of troublemakers, most fans agree that sportsmanship starts in the student section.

“Some of the

Even when it comes to players on our team, some fans take their mishaps too seriously, dwelling on inconsequential mistakes.

“Athletes are just people at the end of the day,” Alberico said. “They make mistakes. You try going out on that court and doing what they do. It’s hard.”

We see a similar lack of empathy regarding fan reactions to player injuries. For example, during last season’s home football game against Cal, our student section continued talking loudly, dancing and even cracking jokes while Cal freshman Jaivian Thomas lay unconscious on the field for multiple minutes, immobilized from a neck injury.

Despite Thomas’ possibly life-threatening condition, our student section chose to ignore the severity of the situation at hand. As some fans fail to see players — especially when they’re playing for the opposing team — as fully human, they don’t feel the need to take athlete health seriously, whether it be mental or physical.

The practice of court-storming further demonstrates student fans’ lack of concern for players. Most recently, Wake Forest fans injured Duke player Kyle Filipowski when they immediately flooded the court after Wake Forest’s game-winning play.

NBA veteran Austin Rivers recently spoke on the issue of reckless court-storming on his podcast, Off Guard. “Let’s just try to control the chaos … Keep the college spirit, but make sure the players are safe. Get them off [the court], then let the kids storm,” Rivers said.

commentary made about other teams is too negative,” UO first-year Gianna Alberico said. “I understand it to a certain extent, but yelling harmful things can have an effect on their game. It’s not really fair.”

Rivers’ co-host Pausha Haghighi shared his perspective on worsening fan behavior in recent years. “There’s been a different level over the past few years of fans disrespecting either coaches or players … People just say crazy things … They feel like they’re at the zoo,” Haghighi said.

Haghighi has a point here. When fans see athletes as existing purely for their entertainment, they treat them accordingly, legitimizing excessively rude and vulgar commentary and general disrespect. Despite their fame and talent, athletes are just people doing their jobs at the end of the day, and dealing with constant harassment isn’t included in their contracts.

With the spring season on the horizon, try to keep your UO pride from turning sour. Have fun, show off those gameday fits and support our Ducks in the way they deserve: with respect.

Oregon student section cheers after a Jacob Walsh home run. (Kai Kanzer/Emerald)

Fans in the student section hold up a sign reading, “BO CAN THROW,” a reference to a sign used at a previous game at Utah. (Sebastian Flores/Emerald)

Oregon students cheer on the Ducks from the student section while holding signs. (Ian Enger/Emerald)

HOBBS: BEYONCE IS REINVENTING COUNTRY MUSIC

OPINION: Beyonce’s new album plays a southern sound and acknowledges the genre’s Black influence.

BY MONICA HOBBS

The country music industry better hold onto its horses. The showdown is about to commence. Beyonce is busting out her cowboy boots and dropping an album.

Beyonce announced her new project, Act II, on Super Bowl Sunday. While America enjoyed some Usher action, Beyonce dropped two singles: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”

The new album is part two of her three-project trilogy. Through each act, Beyonce hopes to reclaim genres in the Black community. Act I was a mix of house music and disco. Act II samples country, bluegrass and folk. Act III is rumored to be a rock-and-roll album.

All of these genres were originally created by Black artists but were taken over by white artists. Beyonce hopes to shine a light on Black influence throughout all genres in the music industry.

Renaissance acknowledges “all of the pioneers who originate culture” and “all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long,” Beyonce said.

Nicole Fross, a fourth-year at the University of Oregon, is looking forward to the album.

behind at number nine.

Beyonce is the first woman ever to top Billboard’s hot country and hip-hop/R&B charts since they were established in 1958. The only other artists who have topped both genres are Justin Bieber, Billy Ray Cyrus and Ray Charles.

descends from Alabama. She’s a country girl from head to toe. So why isn’t she accepted in the country industry?

Black artists have forever struggled to receive recognition in the genre. The white southern narrative shuts out any participation. Yet historically, Black artists played a prominent role in creating country music.

“I like country music and we don’t have many Black female voices in the industry,” Fross said. “I feel like everyone is going to broaden their horizons and it’ll take back Black roots.”

Beyonce is already receiving applause for her country-twang singles. “Texas Hold ‘Em” reached number one on the country music charts — the first time a Black woman has ever held the spot. “16 Carriages” followed close

Unfortunately, Beyonce didn’t experience the warmest welcome from the community. Some country radio stations are refusing to play her music at all.

X user Justin tweeted his email exchange between Oklahoma radio station KYKC after requesting “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

“We do not play Beyonce on KYKC as we are a country music station,” KYKC wrote.

Beyonce is from Houston, Texas, and her father

We can see their influence from the beginning to today. The banjo, a key instrument in country music, was brought over from West Africa during the transatlantic slave trade. The melodies of many country hits were based on hymns from Black Southern ministers. Lesley Riddle and Rufus “Tee Tot” Payne influenced The Carter Family and Hank Williams.

Country music wasn’t built on white culture and patriotism. It portrayed progressive ideals. But in recent years, the industry lost sight of its roots. Beyonce has an opportunity to remind America of what country music means.

“Any artist who can diversify the content of country music to not be so pigeon-holed in God and nationalism, because that’s where it’s stuck right now,” UO fourth-year Mira Coles said. “If [she] can open that up again, there’d be a lot more country fans.”

I’ve never been a fan of country music, and it’s not just because of the trucks, fishing and dirt roads. I disagree with the industry’s culture. However, I can relate to the progressive lyrics sampled in Beyonce’s take.

Act II will be released on March 29, a defining moment in whether a modern country industry will embrace a new perspective or cling to its exclusive narrative. Hang on tight — it’s going to be a wild ride.

DESIGNED BY EVA ANDREWS

(Lynette Slape/Emerald)

PHOTO STORY: TINY

Over the past ten weeks, six local student bands have performed around campus as a part of the collaborative ASUO and Align Mag Tiny Dorm Series.

The Tiny Dorm concept stems from the popular NPR “Tiny Desk” series that features musicians playing a set in the NPR office. Lead of the ASUO Concert Committee Spencer So said he wanted to “put a spotlight on up and coming artists.” The series has allowed the groups to gain exposure leading up to Battle of the Bands, which took place this past Friday, March 8.

The series has not only highlighted local bands, but has also brought together talented individuals from a variety of student orgs and departments. “We have a large community of the most creative minds that needed to be tapped into,” So said. From photography to sound to creative direction and design, the series has served as a way for creatives on campus to put their brains together and produce something bigger than Battle of the Bands.

The winner and runner-up of Battle of the Bands will have the opportunity to perform at the ASUO Spring Concert alongside the headliners. The Spring Concert will take place on May 10, at the Cuthbert Amphitheater.

• Photos By: Lulu Devoulin/Emerald

• Designed By: Ryan Ehrhart

Bowl Peace is comprised of students Elise Benton, Holden Hunt, Owen Akiyama and Elizabeth Bailey.

Verb8im member Tripp Repp plays the drums.

TINY DORM SERIES

On Feb. 11, 2024, local band Bowl Peace took over a dorm in the New Residence Hall and performed an acoustic set as a part of ASUO’s Tiny Dorm series.

Matt Roome and Ultra Yellow, both solo artists, joined forces to compete in Battle of the Bands together.

Elise Benton, lead singer of Bowl Peace, takes center stage in a New Residence Hall dorm room.

BY LIZZY SOLORZANO DESIGNED BY EVA ANDREWS

THREE BEST FRIENDS DEBUT THEIR FIRST BAND PERFORMANCE AS LOUISE

Follow the journey of Louise, a band comprised of a drummer, bassist and frontman as it navigates Eugene’s music scene to deliver energetic punk shows and showcase the members’ strong friendship

The crowd huddled together beneath the expansive tarp in the backyard, seeking shelter to escape the relentless downpour that flowed throughout the night on March 1.

The only items supporting the tarp were a ladder positioned adjacent to the wooden porch that was repurposed as a stage and a basketball hoop wrapped with soft string lights. Shoes gradually sank in the dense mud that enveloped the area as everyone peeked at the three men on stage tuning their instruments. The biting cold nipped at our fingertips and noses — Eugene forecasted snow later in the night. Nevertheless, anticipation filled the air as everyone eagerly awaited the three men to debut their first performance together as Louise.

“I thought no one was going to be there,” Christian Boyd, the bassist for the band, said. “It was literally snowing this morning and we were thinking about moving the show but everyone already had the address. We ended up tarping the whole thing and a ton of people showed up.”

Their performance at the Little Blue House on 18th Avenue ignited a surge of energy among the audience, which enthusiastically shouted and cheered them on. The front of the crowd formed a sprawling mosh pit that sent mud flying in all directions, but regardless, everyone wore smiles on their faces.

Louise consists of three band members: Jason Hess on drums, Boyd on the bass and Bradley Killeen as the frontman. Although they pursued individual projects, they came together and formed Louise under Killeen’s initiative.

Killeen moved to Eugene from Redlands, Calif., with prerecorded songs on hand, some of which he incorporated in his Louise EP on Spotify. Sensing his music wouldn’t align with his local scene, he left his hometown in search of a space where his music could thrive and where he could find meaningful friendships.

“A lot of people that I was around didn’t feel like very close or real friends anymore, but these dudes and the friends we have are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever been around in my life,” Killeen said. “We can joke around and be funny but also very sentimental, heartfelt and caring.”

The trio first connected through a mutual friend from Hess’ other band, Solution Honey. Hess is the shared drummer for Solution Honey and Louise, whereas Killeen and Boyd collaborate in another band called Cowboyd. As they spent more time interacting and playing sessions, bonds of

friendship solidified. At one point, Hess lived in Killeen’s garage. Eventually, Killeen invited Hess and Boyd to work on some of his compositions, encouraging them to add their twist.

“None of it was very serious or intentional — it was kind of just hanging out with friends and the last few times we practiced, we were like, ‘This is kind of fun,’” Killeen said.

After rehearsing several of Killeen’s songs and delivering strong, cohesive endings, they realized that they had the potential to perform together as a band. “It came together way better than everything that happened before,” he said.

Louise’s music style is influenced by early ‘90s slow emo and punk with a hint of folk. They draw inspiration from groups like Algernon Cadwallader and Fugazi. “Whatever the middle ground of emo and screamo is, that’s what we are,” Boyd said.

They adopt a spontaneous approach to music. In Killeen’s songwriting process, instrumentation takes precedence, typically starting with guitar, followed by the lyrics. Once the majority of the song is complete, he revisits his process and does it a few more times. When he is content with it, he asks Boyd and Hess to play it and provide feedback. They sit in a room and play the song, and if they hear something appealing, they keep it and integrate it into the song.

At the house show, Louise performed a song titled “Morning Walk,” which was dedicated to Killeen’s dog, Louise. His dog is also named after his grandmother whose middle name served as the inspiration. The name was originally a placeholder for the band but eventually stuck.

When performing, one of the key successes the trio hopes to have is to transfer their energy from the stage to the audience, cultivating a connection while this group of friends provides music for their enjoyment. They usually show their excitement by jumping around and attempting backflips (though the outcome is not always successful).

“I’m very proud of [Killeen] and the stuff that he’s done,” Hess said. “He’s had to learn how to break into a scene from scratch. I hoped that people like Louise and that Brad is able to show people what he’s capable of.”

Killeen, Boyd and Hess simply enjoy each other’s company as they frequently spend weekends playing video games, jamming out and even tattooing each other. Their journey as Louise is more than just making music — it’s about celebrating their friendship and exploring creative endeavors. As they take the stage, they invite us all to be a part of their journey — one filled with laughter, punk music and strong friendships.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

This week’s picks...

DUCK NEST THERAPY DOGS (3/11)

Who doesn’t love cute puppies? Duck Nest is hosting therapy dogs on Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Go relax with some furry friends before finals!

OREGON LACROSSE VERSUS CAL (3/16)

The Oregon Women’s Lacrosse is taking on Cal this Saturday at noon! But they’re playing for something bigger: Morgans Message. At Pape Field, the ladies will be advocating for studentathlete mental health.

O F CAMPUS

2023 EVENT

Nominations NOW OPEN

Nominate a local business or organization before April 4th to be entered to win a $50 Duck Store gift card!

Sponsored by:

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Was ahead

4 __ eclipse: daytime celestial event

9 Iowa State’s home

13 Opera solo

15 Ahead by a small margin

16 Discourteous

17 Sound of the 1970s

19 Radiate

20 Pours from one container to another

21 Blue Ribbon brewery

22 __ and beans

23 Novelist O’Brien

26 Early email provider

27 Organ with an iris

29 Electronic source of percussion

32 Cry

34 “Heck if I know”

35 Looks up to

38 Wine shop event

42 G major analogue

44 Qatari leader 45 Unaccredited source of degrees

50 Suffix with percent

51 Florida NBA team, on scoreboards

52 CrossFit units

53 Wood stove output

55 “Works __ time”

57 Carrying capacity of a cargo ship

60 Trig function that models light waves

61 Hypothetical space stuff that doesn’t interact with light

64 Not taken in by

65 Figure of speech

66 Word repeated after “Que” in a classic song

67 Locksmith’s supply

68 Canadian honker

69 Private chats, briefly, and what 17-, 29-, 45-, and 61-Across literally are

DOWN

1 Diane of “Chesapeake Shores”

2 The “E” of the Great Lakes HOMES mnemonic

3 Careful about what one reveals

4 Historic fort in South Carolina

5 Numbered musical work

6 Part of UCLA

7 Singer DiFranco

8 __ room: place for a foosball table

9 Square footage

10 India’s largest city

11 Inventor Thomas who co-founded General Electric

12 Accept, with “for”

14 Antioxidant berry

18 How software was once sold

21 Dueling steps

23 Angsty genre

SUDOKU

24 Composer Shostakovich

25 Zero

27 Woolly mama

28 Agreeable reply

30 Open with a pop

31 Despise

33 Tangerine coat

36 Georgia school that’s one of the New Ivies

37 Play charades, say

39 Aped

40 Zero

41 Test for M.A. hopefuls

43 Mantra syllables

45 Makes a decent living

46 “Trainspotting” novelist Welsh

47 More than enough

48 YSL men’s fragrance

49 “Girls” creator Dunham

54 Industrious insects

56 Vintage Speed Wagons, e.g.

57 Boxing match decisions, for short

58 Antiseptic target

59 Notable times

61 Use a shovel

62 Ruckus

63 Ipanema’s city

©

‘DUNE: PART TWO’ IS BREATHTAKING

DENIS VILLENEUVE’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SCI-FI SEQUEL “DUNE: PART TWO” HIT THEATERS ON MARCH 1, 2024

In 2021, modern audiences tasted the spice of Arrakis for the first time. Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic “Dune,” adapted from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, captivated audiences and critics alike with a strange, mystical tale of destiny, faith and power.

Though one half of an unfinished story, it welcomed a never-before-seen iteration of craft and spectacle, promising a grander, more paramount sequel installment. After several years and multiple delays due to the Hollywood strikes, Villeneuve transports us back to the bone-dry vistas of Arrakis to quench our enduring thirst for spice.

It’s incredibly rare for a film — an amalgamation of sight, sound and story — to feel larger-than-life.

“Dune: Part Two” is a breathtaking culmination of technical craft and fantastical storytelling, redefining the parameters of blockbuster filmmaking. Simply put, it felt like I was watching history unfold.

The story picks up deep in the desolate outskirts

BY SEAN AVERY DESIGNED BY ADALEAH CARMAN

of Arrakis, following the mythic journey of young warrior Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he acclimates to the harsh livelihood of his newfound love, Chani (Zendaya), and the Fremen people. Thrust on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family, Paul must confront his sweeping destiny as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance.

Where the first film occasionally stumbles in its monotonous pace and unfulfilled narrative, part two ups the ante and raises the stakes to the max. The sheer weight of what’s being presented on screen is shattering. Villeneuve expands upon the world, characters and premise he so excellently established, creating a visually richer and thematically denser cinematic experience.

The story envelopes you in its curious mythos, intersecting intense action, space politics, magic and religion. Despite its futuristic setting, it has an enchanting, ancient aura. Paul’s arc is complex and confounding. His threatening ascent to power muddles his questionable morality, warning the

consequences of worship and power. Chalamet’s performance blends stoicism and sensitivity. His commanding presence frames a protagonist that is simultaneously easy to root for and fear.

Zendaya’s Chani is the perfect opposite of Paul both in support and resistance. Her performance in the last act serves as the film’s moral motor. I could feel the love, anger and pain in her eyes and facial expressions as the narrative unfolded. Rebecca Ferguson is haunting as Paul’s mystical mother, Jessica, who inherits an authoritative role in his journey.

The highlight of a slew of wonderful supporting performances is Austin Butler as the menacing psychopath Feyd-Rautha. His frightening voice is distinct and playful, matching his character’s chaotic presence.

But what sets “Dune: Part Two” apart from the bulk of fantastic storytelling is its astounding technical ingenuity. Cinematographer Greig Fraser improves upon his Oscar-winning work in part one, arranging a beautiful, unmistakable visual atmosphere. From piercing hot orange skies to a black-and-white sequence shot entirely in infrared, the film welcomes a new realm of grandscale cinematic imagery. Among finely tuned visual effects, inventive production design and spectacular costumes, every inch of “Dune: Part Two” is entrancing to look at.

The sound design is equally incredible, inventing a noise palette for futuristic weaponry, massive sandworms, knife battles and numerous explosions. In IMAX screenings, the sound reverberates throughout and shakes the theater — I could feel it in my bones.

Hans Zimmer’s score ranges from melodic and ethereal to booming and otherworldly. It entangles itself within the soundscape during great battles, only to break free and take over in the film’s softer moments.

What Villeneuve and a magnificent cast and crew have created represents the pinnacle of blockbuster filmmaking — a larger-than-life sci-fi experience, pumping awe-inspiring imagery, engrossing mythology and overtaking sound into your veins. “Dune: Part Two” is one for the ages.

(Carter Killin/Emerald)

RILEY TAYLOR, JERSEY SHORE AND THE ENERGY BEHIND OREGON LACROSSE’S HOT START

Jessica Drummond’s Ducks are playing louder than ever

BY JOE KRASNOWSKI • DESIGNED BY RYAN EHRHART

Championship with the University of Indianapolis, Taylor said a warm welcome and immediate connection forged with alumnus Sam Brescia and Logan Gierke on an official visit were the main reasons for her ending up in Eugene.

Now fully settled in, Taylor is fully hitting her stride on and off the field. When Drummond and Anna Simmons were asked who the loudest on the team was, they didn’t hesitate to name Taylor, and, contrary to most athlete’s intuition, Taylor had no hesitation either.

“I do have to agree with them,” she said with a laugh.

From the occasional “worm” dance and other crazy celebrations, fans will never know what they will see from Taylor and the rest of the Oregon bench at games.

“They are kind of just in the moment, but if we don’t have one planned you can almost always find Ava [Sperling] dancing on the sidelines,” Taylor said. “This year we incorporated goal songs and in our house, we are pretty obsessed with Jersey Shore — so my goal song is the Jersey Shore theme and sometimes you hear people screaming quotes from Jersey Shore at games.”

Although settled in now, the end of her sophomore season came with even more change in Taylor’s career with Drummond’s arrival. But, as Taylor explained, Drummond’s return to Eugene was fluid.

“She came in with a lot of messages for how she wanted the team to be,” Taylor said of Drummond. “The biggest one was team first.”

picked up during her tenure as a player at the university from 2009-2012.

“We have so much energy,” Drummond said after the team’s opening win over Youngstown State. “Everyone is a contributor on this team, whether you’re in the game or on the sideline, it’s always going to be a team win. Having that sideline be so hype and so engaged is always huge.”

Both Drummond and Taylor have spoken at length about the connection between the Ducks. A big part of that is due to upperclassmen sharing two next-door houses where teammates bond, eat together and are known to throw the occasional “Bachelor watch party,” per Taylor.

That connection has been instrumental in the Ducks’ success. Oregon matched the best start in program history, beginning the season 4-0 and outscoring opponents by 36 goals in that span.

A mid-season hiccup came in the form of a gutpunch loss 15-7 to No. 22 Rutgers, but Drummond’s squad immediately responded with an emphatic 18-3 win over Merrimack. One more nonconference game remains, and Taylor is confident Oregon’s early success will propel them forward.

“The other [Pac-12] teams, I don’t think they know what’s coming from us,” Taylor said. “It’s our last year in the Pac, and we’re going to make it our year. This is our year, we are going to come out with a win, I have a really strong feeling about it.”

And if the results aren’t going their way, Taylor and the Ducks are still playing their childhood game, and they’ll always remember to have fun regardless of the score.

“I’m never not having fun on the lacrosse field,” Taylor said. “Being surrounded by my teammates and coaches, we all get to do what we love and just have fun and we are so thankful.”

Inside the tightly-knit confines of Papé Field, there’s one thing that sticks out about lacrosse head coach Jessica Drummond’s Ducks: They are loud.

Loud when they are winning big, loud when they are losing and loud pretty much any time there’s a chance to have their voices heard.

“Energy is just something our team thrives off of,” junior attacker Riley Taylor said. “We have crazy energy, whether it’s walking on campus, in the classroom or in the treatment center … you’ll always know when women’s lacrosse is around.”

It’s just different for these Ducks (5-1), and Taylor — who has played everywhere from Upstate New York to boarding school in Florida, from Indianapolis to here in Eugene — would know.

“It’s 100% different,” Taylor said. “The vibes and energy that we have on this team just cannot be topped … just totally different.”

Transferring to Eugene after a Division II

That same motto is preached in programs around the country, but in Eugene it means more. Few coaches talk more about “connection and togetherness” than Drummond. It’s trait she likely

Riley Taylor (27) looks to pass the ball. The Oregon women’s lacrosse team walked away with a win over Merrimack College 18-3 in their first game back from being on the road at Pape Field in Eugene, Ore., on March 6, 2024. (Alyssa Garcia/ Emerald)

Riley Taylor (27) walks off the field for halftime. The Oregon women’s lacrosse team walked away with a win over Merrimack College 18-3 in their first game back from being on the road at Pape Field in Eugene, Ore., on March 6, 2024. (Alyssa Garcia/Emerald)