The final tune up before conference play lies ahead for the Oregon women’s soccer team this weekend as it travels to Laramie, Wyo., to play in the Brown and Gold Tournament hosted by Wyoming.
The Ducks (6-1-1) have not surrendered a goal in three straight games and look to improve on their near flawless record, which marks the best start in program history.
Action starts Friday at noon for the Ducks, who face Nevada (4-3-1), a team that handed Washington State and New Mexico their first losses of the season last weekend. Although the Ducks have not scouted the Wolfpack much this week, players such as goalkeeper Jessie Chatfield of Oregon are well aware of how talented Nevada is.
“We’re very excited to be playing Nevada. They should be a good test for us,” Chatfield said. “If we play our game we should do fine.”
The biggest concern for Oregon senior defender Katie Abrahamson is how well the Ducks will adapt to playing in Wyoming where the elevation is more than 7,000 feet above sea level.
“It’s going to take time getting used to playing so high up,” Abrahamson said. “It’s nothing we can’t handle though.”
Oregon’s recent success is a testament to its play as a team. As of late, the entire squad has made contributions on both offense and defense and is attacking more aggressively. The return of Nicole Garbin to head coach Tara Erickson’s lineup made an immediate impact early in the year when Garbin was racking up most of Oregon’s offensive statistics. Now with six goals scored this season, Garbin’s play continues to not disappoint. Her teammates are pitching in on the front line more and more, making Oregon extremely potent.
In the Ducks’ 2-0 win over South Dakota State last weekend, Garbin was unable to put a shot past Jackrabbits’ goalkeeper Jenn Davis. Her teammates sophomore Tiffany Smith and senior Caitlin Gamble came through though as they scored their first goals of the season. Combined efforts such as this will be crucial for the Ducks this Friday against Nevada. South Dakota State will also be in the four-team field this weekend but will not have a rematch against Oregon.
Oregon wraps up the tournament Sunday by playing host school Wyoming (3-2-3) at 1 p.m. The Cowgirls are tough to beat at home in Laramie’s UW Soccer Stadium and have experience against top-25 teams. Earlier in the year, Wyoming tied No. 25 Colorado 1-1. Wyoming battled to a 1-1 tie against William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., last weekend.
Next week the Ducks continue play on the road in the Grand Canyon State as they compete with No. 24 Arizona (5-2-2) and Arizona State (5-3-1). Oregon plays the Wildcats next Friday in its Pacific-10 Conference opener. They return home to Pape Field Oct. 14 to play No. 4 UCLA.
Ducks fly high, play at Wyoming
Daily Emerald
September 29, 2005
Eugene native Tiffany Smith sprints after a pass in Oregon’s 2-0 win over South Dakota State Sept. 23. The Ducks play today against Nevada in Laramie, Wyo., for the Brown and Gold Tournament.
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