Duck Soccer Drops Home Match to Cal, 2-1

Friday, October 9

Eugene, Ore.

7 PM

University of Oregon

California

Photo by: GoDucks.com

10/10/09 | Women's Soccer

By: GoDucks.com

EUGENE, Ore. -- The University of Oregon soccer team fell 2-1 to California in the Pac-10 Conference opener for both schools Friday night in Eugene. The loss dropped the Ducks to 8-3-1 overall and 0-1-0 in league action. The Golden Bears improved to 7-3-1 on the year, 1-0-0 in conference action.

"I'm disappointed for the team," head coach Tara Erickson said. "The majority of the game we played well, we stuck with our game plan. I thought we matched up very well with Cal."

Cal jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead after scoring the match's first goal just 1:28 into the contest. Forward Alex Morgan hit a free kick from 20 yards out on the right-hand side, and bent a shot past UO sophomore goalkeeper Cody Miles. The goal was Morgan's ninth of the season.

The Ducks equalized the match in the 48th minute on a goal by senior midfielder Teresa Bowns. Freshman midfielder Scout Libke started with possession in the attacking third, played it out wide to Bowns who one-timed a left-footed shot past Cal goalkeeper Rosie Aguilera. The goal was Bowns' third of the season and Libke's first assist of the year.

"Scout settled us offensively all night and made a great pass to Teresa," Erickson said of Oregon's only goal. "Teresa was hungry to get a goal tonight which you could tell from her play out there."

Less than 60 seconds later, Cal forward Lisa Kevorkian scored the game-winning goal in the 49th minute, assisted by Morgan. It began with a ball played forward by Morgan which deflected off the hands of Miles. Kevorkian came up with the loose ball and scored into an empty net.

"I was pleased that were able to pull back to even, I thought that was where we should have been. But it was devastating to fall back into a deficit so quickly," Erickson said.

Oregon held a 9-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities, while out-shooting the Golden Bears 12-10. Cal was whistled for 12 fouls to the Ducks' eight.

Bowns and fellow senior Jen Stoltenberg each had a team-high four shots in the match. Three of Bowns' four shots were on goal, the only Duck to record a shot on target in the match. Freshman forward Julie Armstrong had three shots while freshman defender Nicole Bakke added one shot.

"I thought all three forwards worked well together," Erickson added. "Bowns, Stoltenberg and Armstrong held the ball well for us."

Miles had five saves and two goals allowed while playing the full 90 minutes in goal. Ten of Oregon's 11 starters played the entire match. Freshman forward Kelsey Hones substituted in for Armstrong late in the match, recording eight minutes off the bench.

Cal was led offensively by Morgan who had four shots, three of which were on goal, while recording a goal and an assist. Both of Kevorkian's shots were on goal, while forward Camellia Senemar and Katherine Suits each had a shot on goal in the contest.

Aguilera went the distance in goal for Cal, recording two saves while allowing one goal.

Oregon (8-3-1, 0-1-0 Pac-10) returns to action on Sunday against top-ranked Stanford (12-0-0, 1-0-0 Pac-10). Match-time is slated for 1 p.m. (PT) at Pape' Field in Eugene. The Cardinal were 3-0 victors over Oregon State in Corvallis on Friday night.

"We have another tough match on Sunday playing the No. 1 team in the country," Erickson said of Sunday's contest with the Cardinal. "Playing Stanford, we have nothing to lose. Let's see what we have and match ourselves up against another great opponent."