University of Oregon
Idaho
Captains Forging Unity As Ducks Return to Action This Week
09/07/17 | Women's Soccer
Oregon's quartet of team captains lead the Ducks' soccer team into Friday's home match against Idaho.
Oregon soccer returns home this week to host Idaho on Friday at Papé Field (4 p.m., Pac-12 Live Stream), after sweeping the Boise State tournament over Labor Day weekend with wins against Oklahoma and Cal Poly. The Ducks saw their extra training sessions pay off, following the cancellation of their match Aug. 26 against Texas A&M due to Hurricane Harvey.
The Ducks (3-1) have taken advantage of their momentum and built a three-game winning streak. Players like Kyra Fawcett and Jayne Lydiatt stood out for the Ducks in Boise, as they scored three goals while the Ducks conceded just one in two games. Oregon hopes to continue its excellent defending and goal production when the Ducks face Idaho, and then UC Irvine on the road Sunday.
Oregon's momentum is no surprise to the Ducks themselves. Following the lead of their four captains -- Miranda Schulz, Caitlyn Wong, Halla Hinriksdottir and Sofia Chambers – players say they're riding an "unspoken wave" of unity, in the words of Schulz.
"The biggest thing this year that stands out is the team dynamic," Schulz said. "Everyone is working together the best this year. We don't need to speak on what's going to happen because we all know. Everyone is on the same page and everyone has the same goal."
Oregon soccer has been adamant about creating a new team culture, and one of the factors they look to implement is aggression. Coach Kat Mertz has continued to reiterate that she wants her team to play with more of an attacking mentality this season.
The Ducks have made strides, scoring in every game so far. But that attacking mentality extends beyond offensive production.
"We all are on the same page in the sense that we're going to go after it this year," Wong said. "We aren't going to settle for a bid to the NCAA tournament nor finish at .500. We're going to go for the top and we believe we can do that."
After a heartbreaking end to last season, Oregon soccer has come back stronger, returning 15 letterwinners, keeping a majority of starters. The coaching staff, led by Mertz, has introduced nine newcomers to complement the veterans, creating a balance that brings new energy to an experienced team.
Captains like Hinriksdottir have worked hard to integrate the newcomers, both as players on the pitch and voices in the locker room.
"You may think that when new players come in they're supposed to be learning from us, because we have been here for a while, which is true," said the Icelandic international. "At the same time, we're learning from them. It goes both ways. There is a lot of them and we feed off of their energy."
That said, the captains play a key role in what the Ducks are terming a "#BreakThrough" 2017 season. The quartet represents positions throughout the field, spreading their experience and leadership from end to end.
"It's refreshing because we all have different personalities and are able to see things from different perspectives," Chambers said. "The best part is that we helped create this environment and help cultivate this culture."
Southern California natives Chambers and Schulz agreed that having four captains enhances the effect on the team as opposed to having one or two.
"We also lead each other, as captains," Schulz said. "I'm in love with the fact that I have three girls with me. We all have different groups we lead but together we have a better understanding of the team."
The captains played a part in the team's performances last weekend with Schulz enforcing the attacking mentality that Oregon strives to have, assisting Fawcett on her the game-winning goal against the Sooners. Fawcett later earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week, her first career honor.
Chambers showed her endurance, playing a full match against the Sooners while keeping the midfield organized.
Wong and Hinriksdottir played a vital role in holding their two opponents to just one goal altogether. Hinriksdottir was lauded by Mertz following the Cal Poly win; she had six saves against the Mustangs, giving her nine for the weekend, against just one goal.
Hinriksdottir is equally proud to have helped the four captains enforce what she terms 'judge-free zone' in their team meetings, allowing each player to be herself and give her best for the team. Each captain takes pride in maintaining that space and figuring out how to make it better.
Such leadership from Schultz, Chambers, Wong and Hinriksdottir boosts the team's chemistry on and off the field, allowing players like Marissa Everett to continue to shine this season. The junior forward has already scored two goals for the Ducks, and assisted Lydiatt on her goal against Cal Poly.
Chambers credited the team's early chemistry to the 'big mix' within the team, as veterans and newcomers mesh well together. Led by the quartet of captains, Oregon continues its march toward a "#BreakThrough" season Friday against the Vandals.
