Sunday, August 16
Eugene, OR
1:00 PM
University of Oregon
2-0-0, 0-0-0
3
vs
0
Gonzaga
1-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oregon | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Photo by: Phillipina Kyei/GoDucks.com
Ducks Post Shutout In Home Opener to Beat Gonzaga
08/16/26 | Women's Soccer
Oregon took advantage of a red card on the visitors by scoring three times following the foul to improve to 2-0 this season.
EUGENE, Ore. — Three Ducks scored and three more combined on the shutout in goal as the UO women's soccer team won its home opener Sunday.
Hosting the first home event of the 2026-27 academic year for Oregon athletics, the soccer team posted its second straight 3-0 victory Sunday, over Gonzaga at Papé Field. The Ducks scored on a free kick after a red card on the Bulldogs late in the first half, then capitalized on being a player up with two more goals after halftime.
"We knew that we were playing against a team with a player down, and that was when we knew we had to come out as hard as we could and finish our chances and score," said UO freshman forward Shiloh Baird, who scored in her second straight game.
Logan Russo was fouled just outside the box just before halftime, and Lauren Hunter converted the free kick after a red card was issued. Baird scored in the opening minutes of the second half, and Abella Hunter made it 3-0 midway through the half.
"It's hard to score goals, and we've got six of them, so we love that," said second-year UO coach Tracy Joyner, whose team opened the season Thursday with a 3-0 win over Portland State on the road. "And great, great goals. Obviously today, three different scoring opportunities, and took advantage of being numbers up. Just well executed across the board."
The Ducks' six goals are the program's most through two matches since they scored seven to open the 2021 season. Oregon has posted back-to-back shutouts to open the season for the third year in a row.
"Everyone's super happy," said Baird, who also had an assist at Portland State. "We're happy to get another win, and a shutout — shout-out to our defense. It's really fun playing with all the girls and being able to be in such a competitive environment and win."
How It Happened: Much of the first half was evenly played, with the Ducks registering six shots and the Bulldogs five. Oregon's Gray Willson had two saves in the half, as did her Gonzaga counterpart, Sydney Head.
But with six minutes left before halftime, Russo had a run to the top of the Gonzaga box and absorbed a hard tackle that drew a red card. On the resulting free kick, Hunter put the ball through the wall of defenders and into the back of the net for the junior transfer's first career goal at Oregon.
Shots were even in the second half, 7-7. But Willson made two more saves to continue the shutout before handing off to Kailey Kimball and Gia Kiesling. The Ducks, meanwhile, put twice as many shots on goal and saw two of them get through.
"Today at halftime we made a couple different tweaks, and we felt like it was going to help us defensively but also ignite more of an offensive presence," Joyner said. "And it did. You know, they listen. We have such a coachable group. They want to win. They want to learn and grow. And we've got some talent. It's great."
Baird's goal was assisted by Carl Cormack, who has a helper in each game so far this season. Abella Hunter's goal was her first with the Ducks.
The keepers preserved the shutout with help from the UO backline, led by Taylor Dever in the middle of the defense. The fifth-year transfer was the only Duck to play all 90 minutes Sunday.
"We love her back there, and just the leadership," Joyner said. "Getting players on the field that are used to winning and knowing what that feels like and what it takes, there's a lot of pride. And I think this group in particular, they're having so much fun growing together and learning how to do it. Each game we just want to get one percent better, so we're moving in the right direction."
Up Next: The Ducks kick off a two-game road trip at Santa Clara on Thursday (7:30 p.m., ESPN+).
Hosting the first home event of the 2026-27 academic year for Oregon athletics, the soccer team posted its second straight 3-0 victory Sunday, over Gonzaga at Papé Field. The Ducks scored on a free kick after a red card on the Bulldogs late in the first half, then capitalized on being a player up with two more goals after halftime.
"We knew that we were playing against a team with a player down, and that was when we knew we had to come out as hard as we could and finish our chances and score," said UO freshman forward Shiloh Baird, who scored in her second straight game.
Logan Russo was fouled just outside the box just before halftime, and Lauren Hunter converted the free kick after a red card was issued. Baird scored in the opening minutes of the second half, and Abella Hunter made it 3-0 midway through the half.
"It's hard to score goals, and we've got six of them, so we love that," said second-year UO coach Tracy Joyner, whose team opened the season Thursday with a 3-0 win over Portland State on the road. "And great, great goals. Obviously today, three different scoring opportunities, and took advantage of being numbers up. Just well executed across the board."
The Ducks' six goals are the program's most through two matches since they scored seven to open the 2021 season. Oregon has posted back-to-back shutouts to open the season for the third year in a row.
"Everyone's super happy," said Baird, who also had an assist at Portland State. "We're happy to get another win, and a shutout — shout-out to our defense. It's really fun playing with all the girls and being able to be in such a competitive environment and win."
How It Happened: Much of the first half was evenly played, with the Ducks registering six shots and the Bulldogs five. Oregon's Gray Willson had two saves in the half, as did her Gonzaga counterpart, Sydney Head.
But with six minutes left before halftime, Russo had a run to the top of the Gonzaga box and absorbed a hard tackle that drew a red card. On the resulting free kick, Hunter put the ball through the wall of defenders and into the back of the net for the junior transfer's first career goal at Oregon.
Shots were even in the second half, 7-7. But Willson made two more saves to continue the shutout before handing off to Kailey Kimball and Gia Kiesling. The Ducks, meanwhile, put twice as many shots on goal and saw two of them get through.
"Today at halftime we made a couple different tweaks, and we felt like it was going to help us defensively but also ignite more of an offensive presence," Joyner said. "And it did. You know, they listen. We have such a coachable group. They want to win. They want to learn and grow. And we've got some talent. It's great."
Baird's goal was assisted by Carl Cormack, who has a helper in each game so far this season. Abella Hunter's goal was her first with the Ducks.
The keepers preserved the shutout with help from the UO backline, led by Taylor Dever in the middle of the defense. The fifth-year transfer was the only Duck to play all 90 minutes Sunday.
"We love her back there, and just the leadership," Joyner said. "Getting players on the field that are used to winning and knowing what that feels like and what it takes, there's a lot of pride. And I think this group in particular, they're having so much fun growing together and learning how to do it. Each game we just want to get one percent better, so we're moving in the right direction."
Up Next: The Ducks kick off a two-game road trip at Santa Clara on Thursday (7:30 p.m., ESPN+).
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
GON
ORE
Goals
0
3
Shots
12
13
Shots on Goal
4
7
Saves
4
4
Corners
1
4
Fouls
4
13
Scoring Plays
Lauren Hunter (1)
GOAL by ORE Hunter, Lauren.
39:00
Shiloh Baird (2)
Assisted By: Carly Cormack
GOAL by ORE Baird, Shiloh Assist by Cormack, Carly.
47:35
Abella Hunter (1)
GOAL by ORE Hunter, Abella.
56:29
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
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