The Ducks took a 180-degree turn this season.
Oregon turned its back on the 2002 season this year after finishing 2-14-2 overall, the worst record in program history. The Ducks came back recharged in 2003 and pulled off the best record, 9-11, in the program’s history.
They are proud of that.
“We proved to ourselves and to everyone that we are a really strong team and a strong program and we’re developing,” goalkeeper Domenique Lainez said.
Oregon wanted to prove it wouldn’t finish last in the Pacific-10 Conference as coaches had predicted in the preseason.
Oregon finished seventh.
Oregon wanted to prove it was no longer a pushover team and that opponents need to come prepared to play. Oregon took then-No. 2 ranked UCLA into double overtime on Sunday and made a statement.
“That was a great game to end the season on,” senior team captain Lindsey Werdell said. “People were really excited and happy that we came out and gave UCLA a battle. I think you could hear a sigh of relief when the game was over on their side of the bench.”
The Ducks finished 3-6 in conference play this season, which ties the program’s best-ever conference record for the program. Oregon began the season on a five-game winning streak, the longest in the program’s history.
Oregon found several ways to accomplish what had never been accomplished in the program this season. All the Ducks wanted after it was over was to be respected.
“I definitely feel we have gained a ton of respect from other schools in the Pac-10 and throughout the other conferences as well,” Lainez said. “These upcoming years we are just going to be better and better, and we’ll gain more respect.”
The Ducks did fall short in reaching their ultimate goal this year, advancing to the postseason for the first time in the program’s history. Oregon would have had to win at least one game in its final weekend to be considered for a spot. The Ducks lost both.
“We still have the right to keep our heads up (even though) we didn’t get that one goal that we shoot for every season to get to that tournament,” redshirt sophomore Nicole Garbin said. “And we didn’t get it, but we did other things for this program. We opened that door up even wider. We’re just going to get even better.”
Oregon loses just three seniors — goalkeeper Mary Etter, defender Dara Wone and Werdell will all graduate.
Oregon head coach Bill Steffen said the most difficult aspect to replace will be the leadership that they brought to the team.
“All three of them were very essential for their roles within the team,” Steffen said. “They all gave us moments of leadership, and that’s one thing that isn’t reflected in a stat line. Our biggest concern is coming up with quality leadership from the returning players.”
Garbin and redshirt freshman Andrea Valadez will be returning next year as Oregon’s leading scorers. They both had seven. Oregon isn’t ready for it to be over.
“Our players want to take a week off and start another season,” Steffen said. “They know where they can go. They’ve had a taste of it, and now they want more.”
Oregon accomplished more than most expected this season. Yet, no statistic or box score can provide proof of how the Ducks feel after one of the best seasons in the program’s history.
“It was a great year for us, it was a really great year,” Lainez said. “Even though we didn’t win on Sunday or on Friday, reflecting back on it, we accomplished so much more than not being able to go to the tournament.”