Every time the Oregon men’s club soccer team walks on the field, says senior forward Ross Anderson, the players believe they should win every time. If you don’t believe them, just look at the team’s 45-2 record since 2005.
“That’s a big part of how our team steps on the field,” Anderson said. “We’re never afraid of an opponent.”
The team’s gaudy record also means its shootout loss to Salt Lake Community College in the semi-finals of the regional tournament on Oct. 20 came as a shock. With the national tournament taking place this week in Pensacola, Fla., the team wants to show it was just a fluke.
The Ducks will play this week in the 18-team National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association’s national championship, and are looking to win a second national title in three years. Starting on Nov. 15, the team will play the University of Virginia, Villanova University and Iowa State University in pool play. Each pool winner automatically advances to the championship bracket, along with the next top two teams.
In 2005, Oregon, currently ranked eighth in the nation by NIRSA, won the title in a dominating, and surprising, fashion. Playing six games in three days, the team allowed one goal.
“It was a really tough tournament, but I think that that team had something a little different about them,” said Jason Modahl, a center/midfielder. “The work rate, the effort of that team was something you don’t see often.”
“It was unreal how our team molded together at the last second,” said Anderson.
In 2006, however, after winning its pool, Oregon lost in the first round to Indiana, 1-0.
This year, the Ducks, 5-1 overall, will take its biggest team ever to Florida. Despite the depth, the team has been through “ups and downs” said Anderson, but has counted on several new players to help the veterans.
Junior transfer Ryan Vilhauer, who played on Oregon State’s varsity team, “(Has) come in with experience playing in big-time games, and he’s the crucial factor in our midfield,” said senior Trevor McGowen.
Freshmen Scott Gardner and Will Goodling and junior Ben Kaufman have also given the Ducks a boost of energy at the defender and midfielder positions, according to McGowen.
“It’s gonna be big for us having a few of the freshmen helping us out in this tournament,” Anderson said.
Because the team can’t prepare for specific teams because of the lack of information about club teams nationwide, McGowen believes Oregon’s tournament experience gives its team an edge.
“I guess, after going to nationals for a couple years now, I can’t really say we’re going in blind, because we know the level of competition, but we’re blind not knowing the teams specifically,” McGowen said.
The Ducks are also preparing to run a 4-5-1 formation at the tournament in the hopes of boosting offensive production. With an established defensive presence, McGowen hopes the new alignment can put some points up and take some of the pressure off of the defense.
“If used correctly it can be a real good offensive weapon,” McGowen said.
Important Weekend for Hockey
Oregon’s hockey team will host the only team to defeat it in 2007 this weekend, in Eugene. The first-place Ducks will take on Arizona State Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., at the Lane County Ice Arena at the Lane County Fairgrounds. The Sun Devils swept the season opening series against the Ducks in early October. On Friday night, the team will feature its annual “Skate with the Ducks” event. Everyone is invited to a free skate with Ducks hockey players immediately following the game ($2 skate rental fee).
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