Seniors Strive for Win on Senior Day

EUGENE, Ore. - The end is near for the players who have spent four seasons sacrificing their blood, sweat and tears into Oregon Soccer. Jordan Fleming, Abby Morrow, Michelle Rockey, Mia Costa and captains Miranda Schulz and Caitlyn Wong have been through the ups and downs as players, helping to change the culture and set Oregon Soccer on a path it hasn't tread - a path to ten wins and the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Day is here and it will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday against Colorado at Papé Field (Pac-12 Networks).

Wong, a fifth-year senior, has witnessed the complete turnaround that the Ducks have made. In 2013, Wong had to redshirt but was on a squad that only won four games. Since then, Oregon has improved their winning totals every year.

The Ducks and Papé Field have a great relationship. The minute players walk out on the field to warm up, an electric wave of energy, emotion and toughness fuels them to 'Protect Papé.' The Ducks have won their past two matches at home and their latest win Thursday against the Utah Utes came under the lights.

"The 7 p.m. game reminds me of what is was like in past years," Costa said. "Winning at home is really nice. We're going to try our best to get the last two wins and hopefully get a bid."

Winning is always a pleasant feeling which left Morrow happy with her family watching in the stands. The Morrow family travelled from Bothell, Wash.

Schulz has used that factor the most recently. The Temecula, Calif., native has scored in two straight home matches for the Ducks but surely will want to add to that tally on Senior Day.

"You have to leave your legacy," said Schulz. "Obviously, I did not score as many goals as I'd like but it's not about scoring goals.

"It's about helping your teammates because you're a unit," she continued. "But the past few games, scoring goals and making assists helps me know I'm leaving the team on a good note. I want this team to succeed next season whether I'm here or not."

Schulz said she sees something special in this team. After being asked what she would leave for her teammates after the season, Schulz replied with "enjoyment".

"Especially with the season we've had, it's not over yet and we're going to fight until the very end," she said. "I want them to know that I will be smiling when the whistle blows and after. I will be there for them even after the season ends."

Oregon Soccer has been there for each other and always will be. Just ask Costa.

Costa has shown leadership and helped the team stay together during the recent tragedies in Northern California. Costa's former high school, Cardinal Newman in Santa Rosa, Calif., was burned by wildfires earlier this month. With Santa Rosa native Bri Parsons also losing her home to the wildfires, Costa will wear Parsons' No. 22 jersey for the remainder of the 2017 season in her honor.

Parsons has been sidelined due to migraines as of late and was inactive in Thursday's fixture with Utah.

Senior Day will be more than just a fight to win. The emotional factor will be stronger than ever and certainly won't be a need for motivation.

"I don't think I'll need to say anything," head coach Kat Mertz said. "The energy is going to be there. These seniors have been a big part of this teams' success. They came in through the highs and lows but have fought hard to finish on a good note."

Speaking of highs and lows, Wong has fought through them all. One thing that has not changed is her leadership - something that Mertz saw early with the center back. Wong operates as one of the four captains this season.

Wong admitted after the win against Utah that recent times as a Duck have been undoubtedly sentimental. The Sunnyvale, Calif. native went on to say physical limitations due to lingering injuries are unfortunate but the brief minutes on the field are worth it.

The chemical biology major has earned Pac-12 All Academic First Team Honors three consecutive seasons and wants to affect the team not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well.

"It's always been about what I can do on the field but it is much more than that," Wong said. "I want to be there for the young players, leading by example off the field and being a positive voice on the bench. I want to be an example for when you're not getting minutes, how else can you influence the team. It takes all of us."

Wong described her journey as "profound" while playing soccer for the Oregon Ducks. Mentally, personally and obstacles faced on the pitch, Wong has seen it all. It was the same year that Mertz assumed the role as Oregon's head coach when Wong appeared on the scene. Along with the other seniors, Wong has helped change the culture of Oregon Soccer.

To help continue the defensive excellence in Oregon's backline, Rockey has stepped in and done well. The Woodland Hills, Calif., native recorded an assist against the Utes Thursday and wants to avenge last season's loss to the Buffaloes on Senior Day.

"We held our own last year but unfortunately lost," Rockey said. "Returning to Papé this year for this game will be big for us. I think we're going to come out strong."

Senior Day will leave the Ducks with a heavy heart but won't sway them from focusing on claiming three points Sunday.

"It's the second you cross the line onto the field where all emotions are left to the side," Morrow said. "We're here to play the game and we're here to win. It all goes out of my head and I just focus one play at a time."

Mertz, who has had Fleming as a valuable member of her staff as a student assistant coach for past two years is looking forward to seeing how her team does on Senior Day.

"Colorado is a really good team. They're good at what they do," Mertz said. "I think it's going to be one where we have to control our emotion, use that energy to our advantage and play like we have nothing to lose."

- goducks.com -