Friday, September 14
Portland, OR
5:00 PM
University of Oregon
5-1-1
2
at
1
Portland
4-4-0
1
2
F
Oregon
0
2
2
Portland
0
1
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Photo by: @EricEvansPhoto
Curran, Ducks Break Portland Jinx
09/14/18 | Women's Soccer
PORTLAND — While the rest of her teammates were taking advantage of a bye last weekend to train and rest, Chardonnay Curran was back home with her family on Oahu saying goodbye to her grandmother.
Just days later, Curran helped erase the biggest jinx in program history, scoring the go-ahead goal on a point-blank strike in the 79th minute to lift Oregon to a 2-1 win over Portland Friday night at Merlo Field.
"Honestly, it's been tough," said Curran. "I know she was with me tonight."
Oregon (5-1-1) defeated Portland (4-4) for the first time since the soccer program was restored to the varsity level in 1996. The Ducks were 0-16 against the Pilots heading into Friday's match.
How It Happened: After Portland went ahead 1-0 on a Taryn Reis header in the 54th minute, Oregon increased the pressure on the Pilots. In the 60th minute, Jessica Yu slipped behind the Portland defense and was taken down from behind in the penalty box.
Senior Marissa Everett stepped up and calmly drilled the penalty kick into the left corner to tie the match at 1-1.
That set the stage for Curran's game-winner. On the counter attack, Brianne Parsons, who was taken to the ground hard by Portland's Kimberly Hazlett just moments earlier, lofted a long, high ball in from the right side that found Curran alone in front of the net. Curran sealed the win with a tap-in to the left side from five yards out.
Oregon outshot the Pilots 7-3 in the first half and 16-6 for the game. Everett had Oregon's best chance at a goal in the opening frame, but her strike from the top of the box was saved by Rachel Lusby.
Who Stood Out: Another week, more game-changers. Friday night it was Parsons and Yu coming off the bench. Parson set up Curran's goal and Yu earned the penalty kick that drew Oregon even.
Even before her score, Curran was active all over the field and helped Oregon win the possession battle and remain on the attack. Center backs Hannah Taylor and Alyssa Hinojosa again shut down the middle of the field as Portland was able to record just two shots on goal.
What It Means: Oregon ended two-decades of futility against the two-time national champion Pilots.
Quotable:
Head coach Kat Mertz
"I'm incredibly proud of the team tonight coming into a hostile environment like this and showing some great resilience after we went down a goal. We didn't let that one goal define us and we were able to walk out with an important win on the road."
Notable: Everett's goal was her third of the season and 13th of her career. She tied Allison Newton (2005-08) and Teresa Bowns (2006-09) for sixth in UO career goals. Everett also passed Sierra Marsh (35/1996-99) for sixth in UO career points with 36. With four shots on Friday, Everett passed Marsh (122/1996-99) for sixth in UO career shots with 125 … Goalkeeper Halla Hinriksdottir tied Cody Miles (2008-10) for fourth in career wins with 20.
Up Next: Oregon returns to Eugene to host Idaho on Sunday (1 p.m.).
- www.GoDucks.com -
Just days later, Curran helped erase the biggest jinx in program history, scoring the go-ahead goal on a point-blank strike in the 79th minute to lift Oregon to a 2-1 win over Portland Friday night at Merlo Field.
"Honestly, it's been tough," said Curran. "I know she was with me tonight."
Oregon (5-1-1) defeated Portland (4-4) for the first time since the soccer program was restored to the varsity level in 1996. The Ducks were 0-16 against the Pilots heading into Friday's match.
How It Happened: After Portland went ahead 1-0 on a Taryn Reis header in the 54th minute, Oregon increased the pressure on the Pilots. In the 60th minute, Jessica Yu slipped behind the Portland defense and was taken down from behind in the penalty box.
Senior Marissa Everett stepped up and calmly drilled the penalty kick into the left corner to tie the match at 1-1.
That set the stage for Curran's game-winner. On the counter attack, Brianne Parsons, who was taken to the ground hard by Portland's Kimberly Hazlett just moments earlier, lofted a long, high ball in from the right side that found Curran alone in front of the net. Curran sealed the win with a tap-in to the left side from five yards out.
Oregon outshot the Pilots 7-3 in the first half and 16-6 for the game. Everett had Oregon's best chance at a goal in the opening frame, but her strike from the top of the box was saved by Rachel Lusby.
Who Stood Out: Another week, more game-changers. Friday night it was Parsons and Yu coming off the bench. Parson set up Curran's goal and Yu earned the penalty kick that drew Oregon even.
Even before her score, Curran was active all over the field and helped Oregon win the possession battle and remain on the attack. Center backs Hannah Taylor and Alyssa Hinojosa again shut down the middle of the field as Portland was able to record just two shots on goal.
What It Means: Oregon ended two-decades of futility against the two-time national champion Pilots.
Quotable:
Head coach Kat Mertz
"I'm incredibly proud of the team tonight coming into a hostile environment like this and showing some great resilience after we went down a goal. We didn't let that one goal define us and we were able to walk out with an important win on the road."
Notable: Everett's goal was her third of the season and 13th of her career. She tied Allison Newton (2005-08) and Teresa Bowns (2006-09) for sixth in UO career goals. Everett also passed Sierra Marsh (35/1996-99) for sixth in UO career points with 36. With four shots on Friday, Everett passed Marsh (122/1996-99) for sixth in UO career shots with 125 … Goalkeeper Halla Hinriksdottir tied Cody Miles (2008-10) for fourth in career wins with 20.
Up Next: Oregon returns to Eugene to host Idaho on Sunday (1 p.m.).
- www.GoDucks.com -
Team Stats
ORE
POR
Goals
2
1
Shots
16
6
Shots on Goal
9
2
Saves
1
7
Corners
1
3
Fouls
9
7
Scoring Plays
RIES, Taryn (3)
Assisted By: RUSSELL, Larkin
Header off of corner
53:54
Everett, Marissa (3)
ORE Everett, Marissa PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 3 for season.
59:15
Curran, Chardonnay (1)
Assisted By: Parsons, Brianne
Cross through the box finished by 4
78:40
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
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