When Oregon soccer coach Tara Erickson decided to test out a new formation against Nevada on Aug. 31, junior Allison Newton found herself facing a more imminent defense than she’s used to.
The 20-year-old, who’s used to playing left midfielder, was now dodging defenders as an outside forward.
Though teammate Tiffany Smith netted the game-winning goal, Newton recorded two shots, and yet another view from the pitch.
Having played all over the field during her career in Eugene, Newton’s seen just about all of them.
A true freshman in 2005, she played outside back as a key member of the Ducks’ defense. Newton moved to the midfield in 2006, tallying six goals while playing the outside midfielder position.
And for two games this season, she was placed up and wide to attack the net.
Erickson reshuffled her lineup by using a different configuration that featured four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards on the field – and for the Ducks’ first six matches, the team adopted a new system.
The offensive option is working, too: It’s only taken Oregon eight matches to score 18 goals – last season, it took 16 games before the squad reached that mark.
When Erickson asked Newton to move up as part of the experiment, Newton took it as an opportunity to gain perspective.
“It was good for me because I got a different look at the field,” said Newton, whose team also values a 4-3-3 formation. “I’d never played forward before. It allowed me to take a few more risks and gave me more confidence attacking.”
By accepting the new role, Newton – who leads the team in scoring with 10 points off five goals – can now say she’s put in work on all levels of Papé Field during her three-year Oregon career. Well, except for the job between the pipes.
But Newton felt confident leaving that spot to Jessie Chatfield, Oregon’s junior goalkeeper and Newton’s former Churchill High School teammate, who helped her propel the Lancers to the 2002 Midwestern League title.
“She was the captain in high school, too,” Newton said. “She was there for me ever since we were really young in grade school. It has been a really good experience to have her with me. She has been really supportive and she understands me really well.”
Newton said she gets along with everyone on the roster like family – something Erickson said is a credit to Newton’s attitude and experience on the field.
“She’s very dynamic on the field,” Erickson said. “That’s helping everyone.”
Though Newton played volleyball, softball and basketball growing up and qualified for the state track meet in the 200 meters and mile relay in high school, soccer just seemed to stick.
“I started when I was five, in kindergarten,” Newton said. “I definitely had a knack for it more than other sports.”
Fast-forward a few years and now Newton is a standout in Oregon’s traditional and alternative offenses. If the call is to sacrifice a midfielder for a forward, she’s unleashing the attack. If there’s a need to expand play, she’s ripping past defenders and making plays in the heart of the action.
“We have a lot of speed up top,” Newton said of the new offense. “It was dangerous at times. I’m just glad I’ve been able to score.”
Coach Erickson said the Ducks’ plan-B offense has helped them more seamlessly fill the scoring gap left by Nicole Garbin, who set 21 Oregon records before her playing eligibility ran out last year.
“We’re trying new things and everyone seems to be getting more comfortable,” Erickson said. “It is nice to have more than one system. That way teams aren’t able to prepare for you.”
But Oregon initially struggled with the structural change – and Garbin’s absence.
“We were all looking for the other person to step up and not taking hold of that responsibility,” said Newton, who led the team in scoring during the spring.
Erickson said as long as Newton is on the field – no matter where that might be – opponents should beware.
“She has a nose for the goal,” Erickson said. “She’s has unbelievable speed in short distances and gets behind players so quickly. It’s a no-win situation for other teams.”
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