Opportunistic Eddy Leads Ducks Past Gonzaga, 2-0

Sunday, September 2

Eugene, OR

3:00 PM

University of Oregon

4-1-1

Gonzaga

2-1-1

Gonzaga

Oregon

Photo by: @EricEvansPhoto

09/02/18 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Oregon-Gonzaga Box Score

EUGENE, Ore. — Emma Eddy scored twice and Oregon's defense recorded its second straight shutout as the Ducks defeated Gonzaga 2-0 Sunday before a season-high crowd of 773 at Pape' Field.

Eddy, a Eugene native who transferred to Oregon last season after spending one year at Idaho, scored three goals on the weekend and has found the net five times in six games so far in 2018.

"For Emma it's just about having some fun," said head coach Kat Mertz. "We've had good communication between the coaching staff about her roles and responsibilities. She's put in the work. She is always staying after, working on shots. She worked hard over the summer. We were able to start her today, which made a huge difference. I'm really happy for her."

Oregon improved to 4-1-1 on the season, while Gonzaga suffered its first loss in falling to 2-1-1.

How It Happened: Eddy was in the right place in the sixth minute to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. Zoe Hasenauer lofted a cross from the left side and the ball pinballed off of a couple defenders to Eddy, who tipped it under Gonzaga goalkeeper Isabel Jones into the net.

The Ducks made it 2-0 just 38 seconds after halftime when a Jessica Yu cross from the left corner skipped through the Gonzaga defense to Eddy, who calmly drilled it to the back of the net from five yards out.

"The first one was all Zoe (Hasenauer)," said Eddy. "She had a great cross, and honestly, all I did was pressure it. The second one was an amazing cross by Jess (Yu) and I just got the touch on it. I've been working on my runs to the box, so I was really proud to be able to get there and really proud of everyone for the effort we put in to get this."

Who Stood Out: While Eddy's three-goal weekend certainly stands out. Oregon's defense also earned their stripes on Sunday. Without a substitute available on the backline due to injuries, Alyssa Hinojosa, Hannah Taylor Jazmin Jackmon and Mia Palmer played all 90 minutes and helped goalkeeper Halla Hinriksdottir earn her third shutout of the season.

That quintet was particularly effective turning away the Bulldogs in the last 20 minutes of the match when Gonzaga pressed forward and attempted five of their eight shots with a trio of corner kicks.

What It Means: Oregon built great momentum heading into the bye week, which comes at an opportune time for the Ducks as they look to get healthy on the back line.

Quotable:
Head coach Kat Mertz
"We swept the weekend which was great. Gonzaga is a good team. I watched their game on Friday night against Oregon State and I was concerned about their front three and the way they would come out, but when you score in the first five minutes it changes the game completely."

Junior forward Emma Eddy
"Honestly the first half was kind of frantic. I think we could have calmed it down a little more. But getting that second goal made us feel more confident, and we were able to hold it a little longer and control the game."

Notable: Eddy became just the fifth Duck in program history to score a goal in three consecutive games. She joins a couple of UO Hall of Famers on that list - Nicole Garbin and Michele Potestio - as well as Erin Anderson and Jen Stoltenberg, who was last Duck to score in three straight matches (2010) … With her 12^th career shutout, Hinriksdottir tied Cody Miles (2008-10) for third on UO career list.

Up Next: Following a week off, Oregon will head to the Rose City to face Portland on Sept. 14 (5 p.m.).

"It's nice; we are able to rest some people," said Mertz. "We got a little banged up in the back. For us, it's being able to take advantage of those days off and utilize them to make sure we are ready for Portland and Idaho."

- www.GoDucks.com -