Senior day for the Oregon women’s soccer team held particular significance on Sunday as the Ducks not only bid farewell to their own three seniors but played the final game ever at Pape Field. In their last weekend at Pape, the Ducks dropped two games to California and Stanford.
The Ducks lost a hard-fought game to the Cardinal by a 2-0@@CE@@ score to close out their home schedule.
Stanford’s first goal came in the 14th minute on a hectic play, as Teresa Noyola@@CE@@ chipped in a goal from the top of the box when senior goalkeeper Lindsay Parlee@@CE@@ was out of position. Senior defender Taylor Jones@@CE@@ nearly cleared the ball off the line, but the linesman indicated that the ball was over the line for a goal.
After the game, Jones was adamant that she got to the ball before it crossed the line.
“I was not in the goal. I was, like, two steps in front of the line,” she said.
Oregon didn’t let down after allowing the goal and managed to create a few chances of its own, getting off six shots, four of which were on target in the first half. The Ducks felt like their ability to keep playing was a marked improvement from their 4-0 loss@@CE@@ to Cal on Friday night.
“Something different from (Friday night) to today is that we didn’t let down,” Parlee said.
Stanford took a 2-0 lead early in the second half after the Ducks could only partly clear a corner kick. The ball landed at Noyola’s feet and she buried it in the back of the net.
Even down by a pair of goals, the Ducks were able to win a fair amount of possession. The problem Oregon ran into, however, was being able to convert that possession into goals.
“We have some of the speed and athleticism to get in behind them,” Erickson said. “But you saw us at times go, ‘Oh!’ You know, surprised when we were in open space.”
Erickson said she was satisfied with how the Ducks approached the game, and she was proud the team never gave up. Even Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe@@CE@@ was impressed.
“Tara (Erickson)@@CE@@ does a fantastic job with them,” Ratcliffe said. “They always work very hard.”
The loss eliminates the Ducks from postseason contention because it means that regardless of the result against Oregon State this Friday, they will finish the season with a losing record. However, that doesn’t make the first Civil War of the year any less important to the Ducks.
“You’re never gonna look at a game against your in-state rivals and think that it’s for nothing,” Erickson said.
Before the game, the Ducks honored their three seniors with a ceremony on the field. Parlee, Jones and forward Cody Miles@@CE@@ played their last games in Eugene. Their jersey numbers (23, 22 and 1, respectively)@@CE@@ were painted on the grass at Pape.
Erickson was particularly impressed with Parlee’s effort on Sunday. Parlee has had limited playing time this year because of the success of freshman Abby Steele@@CE@@, but she was up to the challenge of matching up with the number one team in the country.
“Playing against that type of intensity can be difficult,” Erickson said. “Parlee really matched Stanford’s intensity.”
On Friday, Oregon fell to California 4-0. Cal was led by a hat trick from former U-18 international Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick@@CE@@.
The Ducks had nine shots, but only four were on target@@CE@@.
Oregon wraps up the season Friday night in Corvallis against the Beavers.
Oregon soccer falls to Cal, Stanford as Pape Field closes for good
Daily Emerald
October 29, 2011
0
More to Discover