Ducks Show Promise in First Half

Thursday, September 28

Eugene, OR

7:00 PM

University of Oregon

0-8-2, 0-2-0

Colorado

9-2-0, 1-1-0

Colorado

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Becker @ericbecker__

09/28/23 | Women's Soccer

Box Score FINAL STATS - Colorado 3, Oregon 1

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon played one of its better halves of soccer this fall, but a 61-second stretch in the second half led to a 3-1 loss to Colorado Thursday at Papé Field.

The Ducks (0-8-2, 0-2-0) fell behind in the 11^th minute but responded with a goal of their own in the 29^th minute to tie the game at 1-1.

The match was knotted at halftime, but the Buffaloes (9-2-0, 1-1-0) scored twice in a 61-second span in the second half to come away with the win.

"The big thing I can take away from it is just the way we played in the first half," said coach Graeme Abel. "Our poise on the ball and the confidence on the ball and things like that. It just shows that these kids still believe in what they can do. They still have the quality and they still believe."

The University of Oregon Ducks Soccer team played the University of Colorado in a home match at Papé Field in Eugene, Oregon, on September 28, 2023. (Eric Becker/GoDucks)

How It Happened: Colorado took advantage of an Oregon turnover to score the game's first goal in the 11^th minute.

The Ducks answered with a goal off a corner kick in the 29^th minute. Alice Barbieri sent a corner to the far post and freshman Kristen Conti headed the ball into the net for the first goal of her career.

It was 1-1 at halftime before the Buffaloes scored the game's final two goals in the 62^nd and 63^rd minutes.

Notable: Freshman Leah Parsons made her first start in net and made seven saves. … Livvy Moore attempted a career-high three shots, while freshman Grace Mensah had two. … Conti leads the team with three points. … It was Barbieri's third career assist. … Defender Anna Phillips made her 46th consecutive start.

The University of Oregon Ducks Soccer team played the University of Colorado in a home match at Papé Field in Eugene, Oregon, on September 28, 2023. (Eric Becker/GoDucks)

Quotable:
UO coach Graeme Abel
"I thought in the first half we were really good. At halftime, we spoke about not losing control and getting into their style of game and that's the direction we went in the second half. So, first half I was really pleased with our ability to get on the ball, and really move them around. Stuff like that was a big progress for us, but we lost control of it in the second half and then obviously the two goals was a killer."

Abel on Leah Parsons' first match in goal
"Awesome. We know she's got a big future ahead. She can kick, is super athletic and you saw the save she made in there. She handled some tough chances. Colorado is a big team, a big set-piece team, but she handled some of the corners they put on really well."

The University of Oregon Ducks Soccer team played the University of Colorado in a home match at Papé Field in Eugene, Oregon, on September 28, 2023. (Eric Becker/GoDucks)