University of Oregon
5-4-2 (1-1-1)
Arizona
8-2-1 (2-1)
Ducks Allow Early Goal To Arizona, Drop Game, 1-0
10/05/14 | Women's Soccer
TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona (8-2-1, 2-1 Pac-12) scored the only goal of the day 39 seconds into the game and defeated Oregon (5-4-2, 1-1-1 Pac-12), 1-0 in Tucson, Ariz., at Murphey Field Sunday afternoon. The Wildcats' Gabi Stoian scored her eighth goal of the season off a throw-in during the opening seconds of the game.
How It Happened: The Wildcats started with possession and wasted no time in quickly advancing the ball into Oregon territory. Arizona earned a throw-in on the left hand side, and the Wildcats' Jaden DeGracie performed the first of many flip throw-ins that caused problems for the Ducks all day.
DeGracie's flip throw-in found its way into the middle of the Oregon box, and the ball was initially deflected out by a Duck. Stoian controlled the deflection and fired the shot into the lower right corner past a diving Abby Steele, giving Arizona the 1-0 lead.
Steele and the rest of the Duck back line managed to stem the initial momentum of the Wildcats, but Arizona controlled possession for most of the first half and kept the Ducks from earning any notable scoring opportunities. Oregon finished the first half with seven shots while Arizona had 11.
The second half picked up where the first half left off; the Wildcats dictated play, but rarely threatened to tack another goal on the board. Oregon saw more chances come their way as the half progressed, but the Wildcats loaded up their defense and began to protect their lead as the game drew to a close. Arizona kept Oregon out of the goal and the win went to the Wildcats.
What It Means: The Ducks are 1-1-1 in the Pac-12 after the opening two weeks. Oregon will likely enter next week somewhere in the middle of the conference standings.
DeGracie's Flip Throw-ins: DeGracie put the Wildcats into Duck territory all afternoon from the sidelines with flip throw-ins that covered roughly double the distance of a conventional standing throw-in. If it wasn't for her flip throw-in in the opening minute of the game, the Wildcats likely would not have got the ball into the heart of the Oregon defense like they did.
Steele, Defense Kept Ducks In The Game: Despite allowing the early goal, the Ducks did not allow the quick score to demoralize them for the rest of the game. The back line refocused and Steele's six saves was a season-high for the senior keeper.
Next Up: The Ducks will return home next weekend and play host to Utah on Friday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. and Colorado on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at Papé Field.
Team Stats
Stoian, Gabi (8)
long throw in deflected ball finds Stoia
0:39
