Saturday, August 12
Portland, Ore.
7:00 PM
University of Oregon
1
at
1
Portland (EX)
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Oregon
0
1
1
Portland
0
1
1
Ducks Earn Exhibition Draw with Pilots
08/12/17 | Women's Soccer
PORTLAND, Ore. — Freshman Eden Hardy scored in the 51st minute and fellow freshman Sarah Preston made a pair of point-blank saves less than two minutes later and Oregon held on for a 1-1 exhibition tie against Portland Saturday night at Merlo Field.
How It Happened: In the 51st minute, Hardy, who initially didn't know she scored, found herself wide open at the top of the box after an Abby Morrow corner kick ricocheted and dropped at her feet. She fired the ball through traffic and into the net before the Pilots' goalkeeper had a chance to move.
Less than two minutes later, Preston kept the game's momentum on Oregon's side with a pair of point-blank saves.
Portland eventually tied the match in the 65th minute on a six-yard strike from Ariel Viera, but after that, the Ducks found enough confidence to earn the draw.
The two teams played a scoreless first half.
Oregon's best opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the opening frame came in the 23rd minute, when Jayne Lydiatt headed Morrow's corner kick toward the far post, but Portland's Rachel Lusby was able to make a diving, fingertip save to keep the Ducks out of the net.
Who Stood Out: At the beginning of fall camp, head coach Kat Mertz spoke about the energy coming from her freshmen, and five of them got on the field Saturday night, including two who started, (Chardonnay Curran in the midfield and Mia Palmer at defense), one who scored (Hardy), and yet another who kept Portland out of the net (Preston). Midfielder Emily Kaestner also saw action.
What It Means: Oregon was 3-7-1 in games it was tied at the half in 2016. Even though tonight's match was an exhibition, the draw against one of soccer's traditional powers is undoubtedly a confidence booster for a team looking to break through in 2017.
Quotable:
Head coach Kat Mertz
"I was really pleased with the effort because I thought we just kept fighting and playing hard. Obviously there are plenty of things we will take a look at and need to clean up before Friday, but there were a lot of good things too."
Freshman Eden Hardy on her goal
"Technically, I was not in the right spot, because I didn't know where I was supposed to be so I just found an open spot outside the box. When the ball came to me, I knew I had an open shot on goal so I just looked down and hit it; I didn't even know I scored until I got back to midfield."
Notable:
The Ducks were without Hannah Taylor on Saturday. The freshman is training with Canada's U-20 team this week. … With a deep bench, 24 Ducks saw action on Saturday, including all three goalkeepers.
Up Next: Oregon opens the 2017 season by hosting 2016 NCAA Sweet Sixteen team North Carolina State Friday at Pape' Field (5 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
- goducks.com -
How It Happened: In the 51st minute, Hardy, who initially didn't know she scored, found herself wide open at the top of the box after an Abby Morrow corner kick ricocheted and dropped at her feet. She fired the ball through traffic and into the net before the Pilots' goalkeeper had a chance to move.
Less than two minutes later, Preston kept the game's momentum on Oregon's side with a pair of point-blank saves.
Portland eventually tied the match in the 65th minute on a six-yard strike from Ariel Viera, but after that, the Ducks found enough confidence to earn the draw.
The two teams played a scoreless first half.
Oregon's best opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the opening frame came in the 23rd minute, when Jayne Lydiatt headed Morrow's corner kick toward the far post, but Portland's Rachel Lusby was able to make a diving, fingertip save to keep the Ducks out of the net.
Who Stood Out: At the beginning of fall camp, head coach Kat Mertz spoke about the energy coming from her freshmen, and five of them got on the field Saturday night, including two who started, (Chardonnay Curran in the midfield and Mia Palmer at defense), one who scored (Hardy), and yet another who kept Portland out of the net (Preston). Midfielder Emily Kaestner also saw action.
What It Means: Oregon was 3-7-1 in games it was tied at the half in 2016. Even though tonight's match was an exhibition, the draw against one of soccer's traditional powers is undoubtedly a confidence booster for a team looking to break through in 2017.
Quotable:
Head coach Kat Mertz
"I was really pleased with the effort because I thought we just kept fighting and playing hard. Obviously there are plenty of things we will take a look at and need to clean up before Friday, but there were a lot of good things too."
Freshman Eden Hardy on her goal
"Technically, I was not in the right spot, because I didn't know where I was supposed to be so I just found an open spot outside the box. When the ball came to me, I knew I had an open shot on goal so I just looked down and hit it; I didn't even know I scored until I got back to midfield."
Notable:
The Ducks were without Hannah Taylor on Saturday. The freshman is training with Canada's U-20 team this week. … With a deep bench, 24 Ducks saw action on Saturday, including all three goalkeepers.
Up Next: Oregon opens the 2017 season by hosting 2016 NCAA Sweet Sixteen team North Carolina State Friday at Pape' Field (5 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
- goducks.com -
Team Stats
ORE
POR
Goals
1
1
Shots
7
10
Shots on Goal
4
3
Saves
2
3
Corners
3
8
Fouls
5
6
Scoring Plays
Hardy, Eden (1)
low shot thru traffic, 18 yds
50:21
VIERA, Ariel (1)
low shot, inside rt post, 6 yds
64:56
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
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