The air around the Oregon women’s soccer team has dramatically sweetened as the team returns home for the final two games of the season.
Coming off a successful road trip that earned them their first two conference wins, the Ducks are feeling better about things and are ready to send their seniors off in style. The Duck seniors will play their final two games in Oregon uniforms this weekend at Papé Field.
Jessie Chatfield, Nicole Dobrzynski, Darcie Gardner, Jessica Goodell, Carrie Holland, Adriana Montes and Allison Newton will end their careers as Ducks this weekend.
“They have all affected the team in such a positive way,” coach Tara Erickson said. “Our program would never have taken the steps that we’ve taken if it weren’t for them.”
It’s hard to argue with that.
Goodell, Dobrzynski and Gardner have made all 18 starts this year for Erickson’s team and given veteran leadership all season long. Newton had made 72 consecutive starts before she suffered an injury earlier this year. She made the return to her midfield spot this past weekend in the Ducks’ sweep of the Arizona schools.
But beyond their consistent appearance in the starting lineups, it is the leadership they provide that has kept this team competitive all season long. Though the team has had a season of mixed results in their games, the veteran core of seniors has helped keep the team focused and determined.
“We’ve been blessed with some great leadership with this group,” Erickson said. “They have done so much both on and off the field.”
Part of this group was Erickson’s first recruiting class, and three have since transferred to Eugene to make the group of seven. They will leave a lasting mark on the program and their departure will give way to a similar cast of younger players who have also contributed to much of this season’s success.
Still, many members of this senior class have had a huge role in this season’s team. Dobryznski leads the team in minutes played this year at 1,672. She and Gardner have anchored the back line for the Ducks all season long and have been the leaders of a solid group in front of the Oregon net. Goodell’s five goals are second-highest on the team, as is her .119 shot percentage. Newton’s 25 points are fourth-best on the team. Carrie Holland has made 11 starts and played in 14 games this season after transferring from Richmond. Adriana Montes has appeared in five games for the Ducks.
The Ducks will also say goodbye to Jessie Chatfield, the program’s all-time leader in wins and shutouts. She underwent career-ending knee surgery for a torn ACL during the summer but has been a valuable learning source to freshman keeper Cody Miles.
“All of the seniors’ experience have been a little different this year,” Chatfield said. “But being a senior you just want to put in everything you have so you can leave this program knowing you gave everything you are.”
Though it has been an interesting year for her, Chatfield certainly leaves Eugene with her name in the record books. Her 233 saves rank third-most in school history and her 1.34 career goals allowed average is the all-time best.
“I think all of the seniors would say we’re leaving with really fond memories,” she said. “We’re leaving with our claws dug in behind us. We don’t want to go yet!”
[email protected]