Ducks Close Out Weekend with Win over Idaho State

Sunday, September 17

Eugene, Ore.

5:00 PM

University of Oregon

6-2-0

Idaho State

1-7-0

Idaho State

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

09/17/17 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Oregon-Idaho State Box Score 2017 Season Statistics

By: Drake Hills

EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon soccer continued its attacking vengeance Sunday against the Idaho State Bengals, finding the goal four times in a 4-0 win Sunday at Papé Field. The Ducks finish their non-conference schedule with six wins and two losses before beginning Pac-12 play at Arizona Sept. 23.

How It Happened: Oregon's attack began with sophomores Jessica Yu and Jayne Lydiatt, starting the goal party in the first half. Both players scored from inside the penalty box in the 13th and 29th minute, respectively.

Lydiatt got the crowd to their feet after tapping in a rebound goal following a Chardonnay Curran header and Brianne Parsons attempt that was blocked.

On Lydiatt's goal, junior forward Marissa Everett played the ball into the box from a corner kick. That effort was just a sample of Oregon's 10 corner kicks in the first half and 19 shots on goal. Idaho State goalkeeper Shawna Hennings had a busy night trying to stop the Ducks, ending with eight saves.

The second half was a copy of the first half's scoring opportunities. Although Idaho State increased its intensity, the Ducks were not phased, pushing forward for more goals.

In the 79th minute, freshman Mia Palmer added to the goal tally. The Portland native went inside her bag of tricks, using step over dribbling skills to fake the Idaho State defender.

Palmer dribbled to her left and struck the ball with her favored left foot, scoring the top left corner of the net. Sunday's goal was a well-deserved belated birthday present after earning a birthday win against Montana Friday.

"It feels so good. I hadn't taken defenders on all game and so I wanted to take a risk and it paid off," Palmer said. "I have a signature move doing scissors, choosing a side to pass the defender before curving it with my left foot."

Palmer is adjusting to her inaugural season with the Ducks and as a college soccer player. Palmer described the adjustment as different, mentioning the high intensity and speed of play. The goal scorer finished by saying composure is a must in the college game which she proved Sunday against Idaho State.

Oregon concluded its goal scoring in the 86th minute with last year's scoring leader, Kyra Fawcett, scoring over the ISU keeper from 25 yards out.

"I was a bit frustrated with my touches not going my way as well as my shooting and passing," Fawcett said, "But our team always talks about having the right mentality goes a long way so that's where the goal came from."

Fawcett's determination and 'never give up' mentality has done her well this season. In just seven games played, the Utah native has found the back of the net three times.

Recently, head coach Kat Mertz has worked with her squad during training, developing the central attacking play. The practice paid off and started with the Ducks' second goal in the 29th minute and continued for the rest of the game.

Who Stood Out: Junior defender Brianne Parsons made her first start this season for the Ducks and did not disappoint. Parsons started the game at left back and transitioned into the center back position.

Parsons advanced into an attacking role during set pieces and occasionally advancing down the side of the field. The junior made her mark, assisting on Lydiatt's goal in the 13th minute and nearly scoring herself in the 31st minute.

"Bri is naturally a center back," Mertz said. "She played that position during her club soccer career so she is comfortable being able to play deeper balls from the center back position."

Just behind her, senior goalkeeper and captain Halla Hinriksdottir just played one half Sunday but earned the win and the win before making way for sophomore goalkeeper Katelyn Carter.

Carter, too, did not let anything get past her, closing out the game for the Ducks and keeping the shutout alive.

What it Means: With a win Sunday to wrap up the non-conference schedule at 6-2, Oregon has its best non-conference record since going 8-1-1 in 2005. On the defensive side of the ball, the Ducks have allowed just two goals in their last seven matches.

Notable: In pregame warm ups, both teams had their hearts attached to something bigger than soccer. Sunday's game at Papé Field was known as St. Baldrick's night and hosted seven year old cancer survivor Scarlett Craig, who brought enthusiasm to Papé throughout the game.

T-shirts were worn on both sides that listed Craig's name on the back with her favorite number, 22. Craig was born on the 22nd of November and also wore the 22 jersey when beginning her soccer career. It's her favorite number.

Craig was the star of the night, walking out with the team during player introductions and was the center of the Ducks' attention after the game.

Craig's grace was a great way to end non-conference play for the Ducks before entering Pac-12 action next Saturday.

Oregon had season highs in goals (4), assists (4) and shots (28) … Fawcett moved into the top 10 in UO career goals with 11. She's tied with Scout Libke and Bri Pugh. … With a pair of shots against the Bengals, Everett entered the UO career top 10 in career shots with 95. She passed former teammate Maryn Beutler during the game. … Taylor Kuroda's assist on Fawcett's goal was her first in two years. ... Mary Jane Erving, a freshman from Eugene, saw her first action of the season, as did Carter in net.

Quotable: "For us, this was the last game of non-conference. We wanted to put some things together. Obviously, scoring four goals is awesome and giving up zero works for us," Mertz said. "We had the opportunity to play a lot of different players with a few starters out so it was nice to rotate some different players on the field."

"We were in a good spot last year at this time and I think this year we have a good sense of team culture. I think that the players believe in themselves and believe in each other and this year we've got huge depth. Overall, I think we have a different mindset this year."

Up Next: Oregon will head back to the training ground to prepare for the first Pac-12 fixture against Arizona Sept. 23 in Tucson at 7 p.m. The match will air on Arizona Live Stream-2.