By beating William Jessup University 4-2 Saturday in its season opener at home, the Oregon men’s club soccer squad extended its run of victories to 22 consecutive.
That victory tally started last year with a core group of seven upperclassmen who have been playing together since tryouts as freshmen and ended in Tuscaloosa, Ala., with a national title and a 21-0-0 record.
The Ducks’ forward and coach Jason Modahl said the team could just have easily won by twice as much against the NAIA opponent Saturday. He said he expects the squad to do as well as it did in 2005 – when the Ducks allowed only six
total goals.
“It was a little disappointing in the second half, but we put our team together on Wednesday and have one practice under our belts,” Modahl said on Saturday. “So it’s not too bad to come out and beat a collegiate team who has been probably playing for their second month.”
Modahl, a junior, had a game-high two goals and also recorded one assist. He said teammates and fans should expect more of the same from him.
“I don’t know if anyone else expects it, but I do,” Modahl, a third-year starter, said. “I train hard, and I expect that of myself.”
Oregon wasted no time igniting its offense against William Jessup. In the sixth minute, senior Bryan Mikolaitis scored off an assist from junior Nate Otani.
In the 14th minute, a Jessup player rifled the ball into the back of the net in an open field to even the score at 1-1.
The Ducks responded a minute later, as Modahl tore up the field, received a pass from junior Ross Anderson and launched the ball in to put Oregon ahead.
Oregon’s offensive attack didn’t relent after taking the lead. Modahl returned Anderson’s favor just seven minutes later by sending him a cross pass to set up a perfectly timed header and give Oregon a 3-1 advantage.
“I just made a run out wide,” Modahl said. “Someone tried to play it through the middle and the other team’s defense hit it out to me. I took a look up and swerved it in there to his head, and I trust him that he is going to be there and head it in.”
Anderson and Modahl have been playing together since they were 11 years old.
“We enjoy it when we get in together,” Modahl said.
Modahl later had an unassisted goal in the 37th minute to elevate Oregon’s lead to three points.
Oregon’s senior goalkeeper Patrick Drake had several key stops by sliding and diving for balls and sacrificing his body for saves.
“We are always pleased with Pat’s performance,” Modahl said. “We all trust him. He has saved us quite a few times.”
On Sunday, Oregon again increased its winning streak by defeating Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Ore., 3-0. Junior Skyler Stevenson, junior Nick Bickle-Eldridge and sophomore Cole Smith each booted in a goal.
“Overall we fought hard and that is something that will always help you get a win when you aren’t playing your best,” Modahl said.
Oregon next hosts Northwest Christian College on Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m.