In 2005, the Ducks finished their first season 2-3 at home and 6-11 overall.
A year later, they improved to 5-4 at Papé Field and wrapped up a 10-9 season with a consolation victory in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament against California.
And after Oregon beat Colgate (1-7) 16-11 Saturday, its overall and home records have never looked better. Oregon (7-3, 2-0 MPSF) sealed its first perfect record at Papé Field by winning all six of its matches this year, including its last four contests.
“We were able to honor it by making it an undefeated spot for us,” Larsen said.
Three Ducks scored hat tricks, including sophomore Alison Leiner and junior Kate Fleming, who were members of Oregon’s first varsity squad. Brooke Dieringer, who transferred from North Carolina this year, also netted three goals on Saturday.
Oregon’s victory contributed not only to its best home record in program history, but also to its best start. The Ducks have already eclipsed their number of wins of two seasons ago and still have nearly half a season to play. Oregon earned one more home win than last year despite playing in three fewer matches at Papé Field. Dieringer said she has loved playing a role in Oregon’s transformation.
“It’s disappointing that I couldn’t have experienced everything with them and only got six games here, but what I got to have was amazing and I’m so happy to be a part of it,” Dieringer said.
Colgate may not have felt so fortunate to become involved with Oregon.
Despite the Raiders’ Ashley Didio scoring first in the match, Oregon would never trail again. The Ducks unleashed a subsequent four-goal run, including one from sophomore Ilsa van den Berg just nine seconds after a draw eight minutes into the contest. van den Berg capped off her day with two goals and also contributed a team-high two assists. Oregon led 8-6 at halftime. Lindsay Pittard, who transferred from Oregon after starting her collegiate career as a Duck, netted a goal to bring the score to 13-11 with 3:32 left. Junior Jen May, Leiner and Fleming would then fire in the match’s last three scores to secure the victory.
“We stayed composed and were able to keep on top of the ball,” Larsen said.
The Ducks cashed in on free-position opportunities in the battle, going 6 for 8. Junior midfielder Alicia Burkhart said the team figured out the Raiders’ defense early on by discovering they could get shooting space by pump-faking to the goal against Colgate. Larsen was proud of her team after the win for avoiding errant shots and closing out the game in smart fashion.
“When you have the opportunities, you take it, and when you don’t, you hold it, and the team was able to decipher between the two,” Larsen said. “It was great.”
Oregon registered a season-low 10 turnovers, compared to the Raiders’ 17. Freshman goalkeeper Sam Debow only needed to make two saves in 60 minutes. Colgate’s Sara Drexler made 14 saves, but allowed 16 goals.
Oregon will next play an away match against Johns Hopkins in Baltimore on Saturday.