Oregon soccer standout Rianna Mansfield has called Eugene home throughout her life.
From South Eugene High School, the fifth-year senior had three options for college. Based on her experience, Mansfield is confident she made the right choice.
“I knew I wanted to go to Oregon,” Mansfield said. “Once I met Tara (Erickson, Oregon’s head coach), I fell in love with the school.”
The five-year ride has not been without bumps in the road. During her freshman campaign, Mansfield suffered an injury late in the season which sidelined her for the final seven matches. At that point, the everyday starter’s career appeared to be in jeopardy.
Mansfield redshirted for the 2007 season after undergoing hip surgery and her career appeared to be stuck in neutral. But, as it has so many times, the veteran’s attitude put her back on top.
“She’s been solid all year. I can’t say enough about her contribution at the top,” Erickson said.
Mansfield bounced back in 2008 and played 13 matches, then returned as an everyday starter for the 2009 season. As a junior she put two balls in the back of the net during Oregon’s 2009 campaign, solidifying that she was back at 100 percent. Mansfield, however, would attribute her success more widely.
“We used to take losses and let them impact us into the next week,” Mansfield said. “Now we’re a small team but very tight, and we just brush off the mistakes and go week-by-week. It’s really helped us win games.”
It has been very appropriate that Mansfield now acts as a nucleus for her team, which is down two players because of injuries.
The senior has transitioned to target forward and earned the recognition of all her teammates. Erickson noted in practice that Mansfield possessed the superior ball control to make the transition from center forward.
“It’s a good combination,” Mansfield said. “I’m fast at the top with Jen Stoltenberg, who is very strong, so we’re a good pair.”
Oregon transitioned from playing over top of the defense in 2009 to a more balanced, ball-control based style in 2010. While Stoltenberg leads the team in scoring, a crew of others have found their way into the scoring column. But Mansfield believes the team’s new face isn’t all offense-based.
“Our defense wasn’t as good two years ago,” Mansfield remembered. “We have taken big steps in improving the back line and also controlling at the mid.”
Perhaps because they have worked together for so long, Erickson and Mansfield are always on the same page. The same can be said for those that play alongside the fifth-year senior.
“We have so many players that can play different positions and rotate,” goalkeeper Cody Miles said earlier this season.
Mansfield’s versatility on the soccer field has translated into the classroom. She is working on a masters degree in education to complement her undergraduate degree in sociology.
One thing is for sure: Soccer will never be far away. After playing last summer in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, Mansfield is planning to rejoin the Portland Rain alongside 2009 Oregon graduate Adriana Montes.
The senior’s communication, mental toughness and durability have been on display all season long, but her extended tenure with Oregon women’s soccer is coming to a close.
Mansfield’s final match at Pape Field will be this Sunday, senior day against Arizona State.
Expect a slippery surface, but that’s nothing the Eugene native isn’t accustomed to. The opportunity for her, as well as a tight core group of fellow seniors, is one which she will surely always remember.
“It means a lot on senior day, and we’re all very close,” Mansfield said. “I will continue to take whatever opportunities come in the world of soccer, and I have great confidence in the program.”
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