Now that the tune-up is over, Oregon and the rest of the Pacific-10 Conference must prepare for a full month of competitive battles when conference play begins this week.
The Pacific-10 Conference continues to be a national power. Six teams are ranked in the Soccer America Top 25 as of Sept. 29. No. 3 UCLA leads the way, behind North Carolina and Notre Dame, and Washington and USC hold down the No. 13 and No.14 positions with Arizona State at 16th and Stanford at 18th. Cal sits in the 23rd spot.
“It’s a tough conference to play,” redshirt freshman Andrea Valadez said. “I know that in the beginning we were seeded last. We have a lot of things to prove. We have to prove people wrong. I definitely think we can compete in the Pac-10 this year.”
Oregon (6-5) was picked to finish last in the conference with only 13 votes in the preseason Pac-10 coaches poll.
“Obviously you want to go into the conference on a good note, and this is a good note,” Oregon head coach Bill Steffen said. “The kids are excited about their chances and being able to start conference play.”
Oregon’s first conference test will be rival Oregon State (4-6-1) on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Corvallis. The Beavers split the weekend, losing 2-1 to Portland and defeating Weber State 4-0.
“It’s a rivalry game; it’s our first conference game; it’s going to have a lot of excitement on top of things,” Steffen said.

Garbin climbing the career ladder
Redshirt sophomore Nicole Garbin is making her way to the top of every offensive category in Oregon’s career lists in just her second season.
Garbin ranks in the top five of all offensive categories — five overall. That includes goals — fifth with nine — and she is third with eight assists. She is tied for second with six game-winning goals and fourth in points at 26.
Rounding out the list, she has 84 shots in 29 career games, which ranks Garbin fifth.
“The coaches try and put it in my mind as a little motivation,” Garbin said. “I just want to come out every game and contribute as much as I can. (I want) to play with the personality I have, and the coaches expect (that of) me as carrying this team, and I very much enjoy that.”

On the up side
The Ducks have been more streaky this season then ever in the seven-year history of the program.
Oregon began by winning its first five games, the best start in school history and its longest winning streak. The Ducks went downhill from there, losing five straight.
That’s the second-worst losing streak in program history. The Ducks lost seven games in a row during the 2000 season. Oregon got out of the funk with a win over Weber State on Sunday at Papé Field.
“Oh yeah, we’re starting over,” Valadez said. “It’s going to be just like that. We’re 0-0 right now.”