Soccer notes
It has been nothing but a bumpy road and an uphill battle for the Oregon women’s soccer team for a long time.
But, as they say, what goes up must come down.
“Soccer can be a very cruel game,” head coach Bill Steffen said. “We need to keep playing well, keep doing the good things, and the rewards will come.”
The Ducks are off to their worst start ever, at 1-7-1, since the program was established in 1996.
The Ducks have been playing good soccer, according to Steffen, but even when they dominate a game, the slightest mistake can cost the match.
“You can dominate a match for 89 minutes and 50 seconds — and slip up and give a goal,” Steffen said. “We just haven’t converted on the chances we have worked for. When you do get a chance, you convert it, and a lot of that comes down to confidence.”
Confidence is something the Ducks need. But with the worst record in the Pac-10 and back-to-back losses to Portland State and Portland, confidence can be scarce.
Oregon gave the Vikings an even match through 65 minutes Friday until goalkeeper Sarah Peters let a ball roll through her grasp, and that was the end for the Ducks. Portland State grabbed momentum and took only 27 seconds to score again.
“They need to keep their spirits up,” Steffen said. “There are certain breaks involved, but they also need to understand you can make your own breaks to a certain extent.”

Unsung hero award goes to…
She is a Eugene native. She likes peppermint ice cream. And she is the recipient of this week’s brand new Emerald Unsung Hero Award.
She is junior midfielder Lindsey Werdell.
A graduate of Churchill High, where she was a four-year starter and captain her last two seasons, Werdell has been a solid player for Oregon.
“She’s kind of quiet and has been very steady for us,” Steffen said. “Lindsey is a very calming influence.”
Werdell started all 18 games last season, recording 10 shot attempts and her first career goal in a win against San Jose State.
“She’s asked to do a job, she does the best job she can and she’s good at it,” Steffen said. “If things are going well, she is generally a big part of why things are going well.”
Werdell said her greatest athletic accomplishment was when the Ducks tied Washington last season in overtime.
Werdell and the Ducks will have a chance to build on that tie when they play the Huskies on Friday at Papé Field.