University of Oregon
UCLA
Ducks Stun #3 UCLA!
11/03/06 | Women's Soccer
EUGENE, Ore. – Nicole Garbin scored her school record 32nd career goal in overtime as Oregon stunned No. 3 UCLA 2-1 before 558 fans on a rainy Friday night at Pape' Field.
"This was a huge game for us," said Garbin. "We needed one win this weekend and it's amazing to get it against the number one team in the Pac-10 and the No. 3 team in the country."
The win was Oregon's first-ever against a top-5 team, and just the third against a top-25 team in program history. The Ducks are also guaranteed a top three finish in the Pac-10 with one game remaining.
"There are not enough words to describe how this win feels," said Oregon coach Tara Erickson. "We had a number of soccer alums who were in the stands crying because it meant so much to them. It was like they were a part of this win, and in a way they were because they know how far this team has come."
After a scoreless first half, Allison Newton got the Ducks (11-6-2, 5-1-2) on the board in the 63rd minute when she dribbled around two Bruin defenders deep into the left corner and lifted a 12-yard shot from a tight angle over UCLA goalkeeper Valerie Henderson, which found the right side of the net. It was the sophomore from Eugene's fifth goal of the season.
UCLA then turned up its attack as Danesha Adams chipped a shot off the left post in the 75th minute and less than 60 seconds later, Lauren Cheney blasted an attempt off the crossbar.
The Bruins' pressure helped lead to an own goal that tied the game at 1-1. In the 78th minute, Christina DiMartino crossed the ball in from the right side. Oregon's Darcie Gardner attempted to clear, but her kick deflected off teammate Jen Cameron and into the Ducks' net.
Oregon then withstood a late Bruin attack in the final minute of regulation when DiMartino chipped a shot over a charging Jessie Chatfield, but junior Dylann Tharp ran to the back and cleared the ball off the line, sending the game into overtime.
"Our defense has been amazing," said Tharp. "The thing that separates us is that we have guts and heart. We may not be the best in the Pac-10, but we lay our bodies out there and really sacrifice ourselves."
"Our defense, in particular Dylann Tharp and Nicole Dobrzynski in the middle, was outstanding," said Erickson. "They played the game of their career."
In the second overtime, a UCLA turnover gave the Ducks a throw-in deep in Oregon territory. Newton lined up for the throw-in and found Garbin open in the UCLA penalty box. She spun around one defender, and spotted an open lane to the right side of the net.
The Ducks all-time leading scorer gave Oregon the most significant victory in program history with a low line drive from seven yards out. Newton earned the assist on the play, her team-leading fourth of the season and sixth of her career.
"It happened so quickly," said Garbin. "I did a spin move and caught (Henderson) off guard and just saw the far post open."
The loss was the first in Pac-10 play for UCLA since 2004, a span of 17 matches, as the Bruins dropped to 16-3 overall. UCLA still leads the league with a 7-1 mark, and can win its fourth straight Pac-10 title with a win or tie Sunday at Oregon State.
The highly entertaining game was filled with constant back and forth action as the teams combined for 43 shots -- 24 by UCLA and 19 for Oregon. Cheney attempted 10 shots Friday night, tying the Oregon opponent single-game record.
Garbin led the Ducks with seven shots, while Tiffany Smith added three and Newton 2.
Chatfield made three saves in getting the win, while Henderson had six stops for the Bruins.
Garbin's goal set or added to the 16 career records the sixth-year senior from Wailuku, Hawaii, already owns. She moved ahead of Chalise Baysa for first place alone in career goals scored. She came into the game tied with Baysa, who scored 31 times from 1998-00.
The goal was Garbin's eighth game-winner of 2006 -- breaking the mark of seven she set last season -- and 21st of her career, extended her own school record. It was also her 10th goal of 2006, tying her 2005 school record. And she now has 21 points in 2006, one shy of the school record 22 she posted as a sophomore in 2003.
"Both of our goals came off the dribble, which is something we've been preaching about for a while, so that was really encouraging to see that," said Erickson. "Our attack was pretty amazing tonight."
The Ducks have locked up third place in the Pac-10 -- a very significant mark since the top three teams in the Pac-10 have earned bids to the NCAA Tournament in each of the past eight seasons.
"I hope this is enough to get us in," said Erickson. "It would be hard for me to believe that we have not done enough at this point to get in. Still, we have one game left and we want to keep playing well and building our credentials and also send our seniors out with a win."
The Ducks host USC Sunday at 1 p.m. in their final regular season game.
"We definitely want a sweep this weekend," said Garbin. "We still have something to prove."
GAME NOTES: The highest-ranked team the Ducks had knocked off prior to Friday was a 2-1 defeat of No. 20 UCLA on Oct. 31, 1999...Garbin appeared in her 75th career game, tied for second on the UO all-time list...Newton's assist was her sixth career, tied for ninth on the UO list...her four assists in 2006 is tied for seventh on the single-season list...the start of the game was held up for 10 minutes due to delays experienced by the officiating crew in travelling to Eugene.
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