Oregon Falls Short Against Colorado

Sunday, October 29

Eugene, Ore.

11:00 AM

University of Oregon

8-10-0, 2-8-0

Colorado

10-5-4, 4-4-2

Colorado

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

10/29/17 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Oregon-Colorado Box Score 2017 Season Statistics

By: Drake Hills

EUGENE, Ore. – The Ducks left it all on the field Sunday but came short of victory against the Colorado Buffaloes, losing 2-0 on Senior Day at Pape' Field. Oregon held on for almost three quarters of the match until the Buffaloes found the net.

How It Happened: Oregon (8-10, 2-8) attacked and defended thoroughly for the first 45 minutes of play which was highlighted by a shot on goal from midfielder Abby Morrow and five saves by goalkeeper Halla Hinriksdottir, keeping Colorado from scoring.

Morrow, a senior, said the emotions were high on the special day and it will be hard for the Bothell, Wash., native to move on from the team.

"It's bad of me to say but it's good that (the younger players are) sad because that means that the seniors did their jobs," Morrow said. "We had a great celebration in the locker room. The emotions are good, bad and sad. It's kind of all over."

The second half unraveled differently as Colorado (10-5-4, 4-4-2) began to press Oregon's back line with the intentions to close the game out with a win and move nearer to an NCAA Tournament bid.

After a throw-in and turnover deep in Oregon's defensive third by the Ducks, Colorado capitalized off of the interception. Sophomore forward Tatum Barton took one touch and let it rip from the edge of the penalty box, sliding the ball into the bottom right corner for a goal in the 68th minute.

The Ducks pushed forward after the Buffaloes found glory. Junior midfielder Nicole Seaman found the ball at her feet after a Ducks' corner eluded a Buffalo defender and struck the ball with her left foot from 20 yards but it was saved by Colorado goalkeeper Jalen Tompkins.

Colorado extended its lead in the 81st minute on an in-swinging free kick from 25 yards out. Joss Orejel crossed the ball in a crowd packed inside the penalty box, finding Taylor Kornieck for her sixth goal of the season.

"We left some goals on the field and we're a bit disappointed but hopefully we can end on a good note on Thursday," said coach Kat Mertz, whose side will try to end the season on a positive note in the Civil War Thursday in Corvallis.

Who Stood Out: Junior forward Bayley Bruner had an impressive work rate all game and challenged Colorado defenders constantly with her speed.

Bruner finished the match with a total of three shots; one required a save by Tompkins, after 65 minutes played for the Ducks.

Mertz said after the game that she wanted to limit Bruner's minutes to contain a lagging muscle strain that didn't keep Bruner from playing.

Kyra Fawcett also fought off the injury bug and returned to action for the first time since Oregon's clash against the UCLA Bruins in late September. Fawcett was Oregon's leading goal scorer until the injury.

"Kyra's got the ability to score," Mertz said. "You never know what's going to happen. She's just got a knack for the ball. It was nice to see her back on the field."

Quotable: Mertz had a heartfelt message for redshirt senior defender and captain Caitlyn Wong after Sunday's match. The two came into the program together; Wong as a freshman and Mertz as the new head coach.

"I've known her for five years now. I'm incredibly proud and honored to have coached her and watch her through her journey," Mertz said. "I think college is about growing into a young women and figuring out your path. She's been an unbelievable leader on and off the field and a champion for this program."

Notable: Oregon's six seniors were honored in pregame ceremonies: Morrow, Wong, defenders Mia Costa and Michelle Rockey, forward Miranda Schulz and student assistant coach Jordan Fleming. … Hinriksdottir matched a season high with six saves.

Up Next: The Civil War is next for Oregon Soccer (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks). It is the last game of the regular season and Pac-12 play, but the seniors still have a lot to play for. A win in Corvallis would mean the program improved its victory total each of their four years.

Ducks players saddened by the Colorado loss said they would quickly refocused to prepare for the Beavers.

"Every time we play against Oregon State, it's always a physical game," Hinriksdottir said. "Regardless of the year or the players they have, it's such a strong rivalry that we can always expect to get banged up after the match ends. I'm expecting a fight, that's it."

As an attacking midfielder, the physicality remains but it might present itself differently. Morrow said after the game that Oregon State will require mental and physical strength.

"You have to be strong and we saw it today against Colorado, scoring with any part of your body can happen," she said. "We have to match the intensity and physicality to beat OSU."