Soccer

Facing off against the No. 1 team in the country already gives a team long odds.
When that top team is Stanford and they out-shoot their opponent 25-1, well, the odds are that much tougher.
The Oregon women’s soccer team was that opponent facing such long odds Sunday, and the Ducks couldn’t overcome mighty Stanford in a 3-0 loss.
“Stanford was very strong technically,” Oregon head coach Bill Steffen said. “They had good athleticism and speed and there is a reason they are No. 1.”
Stanford moves to 13-1 overall and 4-0 in the Pacific-10 Conference, and retains its position as the national leader. With its second consecutive loss, Oregon is now at 1-10-2 and 0-3-1 in the Pac-10.
The Ducks sit in last place in the Pac-10 and have not won a game since Aug. 25.
Oregon was able to maintain a strong defensive presence against Stanford, but the Ducks were hurt when they couldn’t convert on offensive opportunities.
The Ducks’ youth — which includes 13 freshmen — has showed this season, particularly on offense.
“We were organized defensively and as a result, we were able to stay with them,” Steffen said. “We had a few chances, and they weren’t bad chances, but we just couldn’t put them away.”
Senior goalkeeper Sarah Peters earned nine saves against the Cardinal. And the Ducks’ only shot came from sophomore defender Dara Wone.
Other statistics did not favor Oregon, either, as Stanford took five corner kicks to Oregon’s zero and the Ducks racked up 14 fouls to the Cardinal’s 12.
The Ducks went head to head with another Bay Area team over the weekend where they faced No. 11 Cal on Friday.
It was Oregon’s eighth top-25 opponent this season and the Ducks had more luck than they did with Stanford, holding Cal scoreless for most of the game.
Cal finally broke loose in the 79th minute when Kassie Doubcava scored from 15 yards out. The Golden Bears scored again with three minutes left in the game en route to a 2-0 win.
“We played well in moments,” Steffen said. “We played very hard, and our effort was good, but we were unlucky not to convert on the early chances, and we put pressure on ourselves when we don’t convert.
“It’s also frustrating for the defense in that we battle hard and put ourselves in position to win, but we don’t win. They worked hard and gave a good effort, and it’s a shame — unfortunately that’s how a lot of our games have been this year.”
Oregon was outplayed in all statistical categories, with Cal dominating in shots, 19-6, and corner kicks, 6-0. Both teams had seven fouls.
Peters recorded nine saves for Oregon, her second-most this season. On offense, senior Sarah Denner and freshman Carlie Ashcraft paced Oregon with two shots, and single shots came from senior Amanda Orand and freshman Mele French.
The Ducks have yet to get a win in Pac-10 play but will get their chance as they face off against Arizona and Arizona State at Papé Field next weekend.