UO Soccer Faces Exhibition Against Rival OSU
EUGENE, Ore. -- The University of Oregon soccer team will continue its spring exhibition schedule this Saturday with a home match against rival Oregon State. The contest, which will be played at Pape’ Field in Eugene, will start at 1 p.m. (PST) as a part of UO’s Spring Fan Festival presented by Bi-Mart. There is no fee for admission and the match is open to the public.
“It is always a challenge when you’re playing a rival,” head coach Tara Erickson said. “With it being an exhibition game, this gives us a chance to try different things and continue to improve.”
The Beavers, who went 6-11-2 overall and 1-7-1 in Pac-10 action last season, return their top four goal-scorers for the 2009 campaign: Najma Homidi (4 g, 1 a), Melissa Peck (3 g, 1 a), Rachael Axon (2 g, 1 a) and Jessica Velazquez (2 g, 1 a). UO and OSU played to a scoreless draw in their 2008 meeting.
Oregon has played three matches this spring. The Ducks were at Portland last weekend, falling 1-0 to the Pilots on Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex.
The Ducks went 1-0-1 in matches at their annual spring tournament played April 18-19 at the Nike World Campus in Beaverton. A second-half goal by junior forward Jen Stoltenberg lifted Oregon past Utah, 1-0, in the first exhibition. UO played Portland State to a 1-1 draw in the other weekend match.
“In two out of our three matches I felt like we performed at a high level,” Erickson said. “I like our progress in team defending and possession and keeping the ball.”
UO will close out its spring exhibition schedule May 8 with a home match against Western Oregon scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.
“We’ve been able to distribute a lot of playing time this spring,” Erickson said. “It has been a great experience for those who didn’t have much playing time under their belt.”
Saturday's exhibition soccer match represents a portion of a full day of activities for UO Athletics. The events begin with the volleyball team's exhibition versus Western Washington scheduled for 9 a.m. at McArthur Court. The Duck baseball team has a Pac-10 game against UCLA slated for 11 a.m. at PK Park. The festival closes with the annual UO football spring game set for a 2 p.m. start time.
“It is always a challenge when you’re playing a rival,” head coach Tara Erickson said. “With it being an exhibition game, this gives us a chance to try different things and continue to improve.”
The Beavers, who went 6-11-2 overall and 1-7-1 in Pac-10 action last season, return their top four goal-scorers for the 2009 campaign: Najma Homidi (4 g, 1 a), Melissa Peck (3 g, 1 a), Rachael Axon (2 g, 1 a) and Jessica Velazquez (2 g, 1 a). UO and OSU played to a scoreless draw in their 2008 meeting.
Oregon has played three matches this spring. The Ducks were at Portland last weekend, falling 1-0 to the Pilots on Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex.
The Ducks went 1-0-1 in matches at their annual spring tournament played April 18-19 at the Nike World Campus in Beaverton. A second-half goal by junior forward Jen Stoltenberg lifted Oregon past Utah, 1-0, in the first exhibition. UO played Portland State to a 1-1 draw in the other weekend match.
“In two out of our three matches I felt like we performed at a high level,” Erickson said. “I like our progress in team defending and possession and keeping the ball.”
UO will close out its spring exhibition schedule May 8 with a home match against Western Oregon scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.
“We’ve been able to distribute a lot of playing time this spring,” Erickson said. “It has been a great experience for those who didn’t have much playing time under their belt.”
Saturday's exhibition soccer match represents a portion of a full day of activities for UO Athletics. The events begin with the volleyball team's exhibition versus Western Washington scheduled for 9 a.m. at McArthur Court. The Duck baseball team has a Pac-10 game against UCLA slated for 11 a.m. at PK Park. The festival closes with the annual UO football spring game set for a 2 p.m. start time.
