Soccer Kicks Off UO Athletics Year With Match At Fresno State

In 2019, the Oregon soccer team is looking to build on its successes of last fall, with reinforcements in the form of the nation's 17th-ranked recruiting class.

But to do so, UO coach Kat Mertz knew she first had to make sure there was a foundation in place. Yes, the Ducks went 9-9-1 in 2018, their best season in a decade. But they also graduated several key players, including prolific scorer Marissa Everett, stout defender Jazmin Jackmon and record-setting goalkeeper Halla Hinriksdottir.

The Ducks couldn't allow that loss of personnel to result in a loss of momentum for the program.

"In the spring we spent a long time with our culture, with the upperclassmen," Mertz said. "And I couldn't be more proud of how they've welcomed the freshmen coming in. The freshmen can't grow and can't be successful if they don't have great leadership."

Hoping to ride that leadership and culture to a postseason berth, the Ducks kick off their fall season Thursday at Fresno State. The two-game road trip concludes Sunday at No. 13 Santa Clara, prior to the home opener on Aug. 30 against Portland State.

When the team gathered for the start of training camp over the summer, a primary goal was to blend the veterans with the newcomers. The result was on display in Oregon's exhibition game last week, a 2-1 victory over British Columbia.

The Ducks fielded 22 players in that match, across multiple different formations. All those combinations didn't trip up Oregon, which got goals from freshman forward Ally Cook and one of the returning "game changers" off the bench, Eden Hardy.

"I think we've been actually really cohesive," sophomore midfielder Zoe Hasenauer said. "We're a really tight team. We had people come off the bench and it didn't change anything."

Cook was one of three freshmen to start the game, along with playmaker Sakura Yoshida in the midfield and Croix Soto at a center back position. They're key members of that highly regarded recruiting class, and if the Ducks are to take flight in 2019, the newcomers will have to contribute.

"Oh, absolutely, we need the freshman class to step up right away," Mertz said after the exhibition win. "You saw Ally Cook make an impact, and she's been doing that in practice. You saw Saki in the midfield; you know she's talented, and that's why she trained with the Reign (NWSL club) all summer. …

"They all bring a different level of professionalism. These kids want to go play. And it's so fun."

The freshmen joined a group of returners that flashed some electric offense during the spring schedule, headlined by Hardy's three game-winning goals. Emma Eddy is back on the attack after scoring six goals last fall, and the defense is anchored by Alyssa Hinojosa, who played every minute of every game as a junior in 2018.

All that talent will ease the pressure on the new goalkeepers looking to replace Hinriksdottir. Both senior Katelyn Carter and sophomore Charlotte Brisley played in the exhibition victory, although neither saw much action as Oregon mostly dominated play until a late push by the visitors.

"That's the hard part; I wanted the action (in order to evaluate them), but I didn't want the action," Mertz said. "The two of them have been doing a really good job and making it hard for us."

Mertz said both keepers should expect to play on the upcoming road trip.

With a senior-laden team in Fresno State on tap for Thursday's opener, and a ranked opponent looming on Sunday, connecting the defense to the offense as well as the cohesiveness between the new and returning players will both be critical to the Ducks' early season success.