University of Oregon
(6-4-2, 2-1-1)
Utah
(7-3-3, 0-3-1)
UO Fights Off Utah, Snags the 1-0 Win
10/11/14 | Women's Soccer
EUGENE, Ore. – Bri Pugh provided the only goal of the game in the 15th minute and Oregon (6-4-2, 2-1-1) fought off a late charge from Utah (7-3-3, 0-3-1) Friday evening at Papé Field to give the Ducks the 1-0 victory over the Utes.
How It Happened: Oregon's goal in the 15th minute was the first real opportunity of the game for either team. Kristen Parr had the ball in the center of the Ute defense, and Pugh made her run when she saw a Utah outside back paying close attention to Parr. Pugh managed to stay on side and slipped behind the Utah defense to receive the ball from Parr at the corner of the box. After a few touches, the senior picked her target – the far post – and put enough elevation on her shot so that the diving Ute keeper could not get a hand on it. The shot and assist was perhaps Oregon's best sequence of the year, and it gave the Ducks the 1-0 lead.
The game went on and Oregon's defense along with Steele did a good job of negating a couple Utah opportunities that came close to becoming goals. The Ducks also had a couple of great headers from Caitlyn Wong in the 66th minute and Brooke Strawn in the 78th minute that almost put the game out of reach for Utah.
The game took a major turn in the 81st minute when Abby Steele jumped in the air to punch away an incoming cross and a teammate inadvertently took her legs out and Steele came crashing to the ground. Steele left the game, and Lauren Holden made her first appearance of the year at keeper.
Holden and the rest of the Ducks held the Utes in check until the last 40 seconds of the game where Utah took a free kick and almost scored the equalizer. The initial free kick was punched away by Holden, but the ball stayed inside the six-yard box. A Ute played a soft shot on the ground, but Holden was there to make the rejection. The ball was popped up by a Duck clearing the ball off a Ute's foot, and another Utah player played the ball out of the air, but the shot sailed over the goal and the Ducks exhaled.
What It Means: Even with games still to be played tonight in the Pac-12, the Ducks are in the thick of things in one of the most competitive conferences in the country. UO is creeping up the standings with their seven points in Pac-12 play.
With six total wins, the Ducks have already passed last year's win total (4), and their 2-1-1 record in conference puts them one win away from passing last year's Pac-12 win total (2).
The victory tonight was also Oregon's first win over Utah since 2008.
Pugh's Goal: Pugh saw the benefits of her season-long, aggressive play pay off tonight. The goal tonight was her first since Aug. 24 against UW-Milwaukee. The senior has never wavered in her pedal-to-the-metal mindset all year, and her team-best four shots tonight proved that yet again.
With the goal, Oregon now has two players who have scored more than once this year (Pugh and Archer both have two goals).
Holden Stepped Up: Steele had played every minute in goal for the Ducks so far this season, but Holden played well when one the team captains went down in the 81st minute. Holden recorded just one save, but her poise in the last 40 seconds of the game when Utah was going for broke was what ultimately gave the Ducks the win.
Key Quotes: Head coach Kat Mertz on Lauren Holden stepping up:
“I have the utmost confidence in our goalkeepers. All three of the backups have been doing a fantastic job. They make it really hard for me to figure out who the No. 2 is, but Lauren Holden has been doing a great job and she's very consistent. I knew she was going to be able to take care of it for us.”
Bri Pugh on her goal:
“I saw a lot of space. Their outside back was way overcommitted, and I started a run, it was early (in the game) and my legs weren't tired yet. Kristen played a great ball; I have to give all the credit to her.”
Next Up: The Ducks will stay at home and play Colorado on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at Papé Field. Sunday's game will also be the Ducks' “Kick for a Cure” Pink Game. Admission to the game is $1 for all fans who wear pink. There will be a silent auction at the game that will include special items and Oregon apparel donated by the soccer team and the athletics equipment department. In addition, Oregon soccer will be auctioning off three pink jerseys to fans that are unable to attend the game via an online auction.
If you haven't already bid in the online auction, make sure you do so HERE.
Team Stats
Pugh, Bri (2)
Assisted By: Parr, Kristen
15 to 5, went upper v to the right
14:57
