Ducks Fall in Close Call

Thursday, September 24

Evanston, IL

4:30 PM

University of Oregon

6-2-2, 1-2-1

Northwestern

4-4-3, 2-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Oregon	0	0	0
Northwestern	1	0	1

09/24/26 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Northwestern 1, Oregon 0

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern's goal off its only corner kick of the match was the difference as Oregon dropped a 1-0 decision to the Wildcats Thursday at Martin Stadium.

While Oregon's defense continues to be among the best in program history, the Ducks walked away empty handed after a number of near misses in front of Northwestern's goal.

No one felt the Ducks' frustrations more than Cailin Bloom who headed dangerous shots on goal in the waning moments of both halves only to watch Wildcat goalie Nyamma Nelson make last-second saves on both attempts.

Despite allowing a goal Thursday night, the 2026 squad tied the 1981 team for the best defensive effort through 10 games in program history – four goals allowed.

How It Happened: Oregon goalkeeper Gray Willson made saves on back-to-back shots in the 22^nd minute to keep the game scoreless.

But shortly after, Northwestern (4-4-3, 2-1-1) scored the only goal of the game on a corner kick that was headed in by Ava Goodin in the 23^rd minute.

Oregon (6-2-2, 1-2-1) nearly tied the game twice in the final minute of the first half.

First, Kylie Farmer found herself on the end of Carly Cormack's corner kick near the top of Northwestern's box, but Nelson was able to make the save.

Then five seconds before halftime, Farmer drove a free kick from midfield into box where Bloom headed the ball at the goal from point-blank range, but Nelson again was able to come up with a remarkable save to preserve Northwestern's lead going into halftime.

The Ducks came out firing in the second half and outshot the Wildcats 7-4 in the period. Shiloh Baird sent shots just wide and high, respectively, the 52^nd and 54^th minutes.

With less than three minutes to play in the match, Farmer again served a ball into the box that Bloom was able to head over Nelson toward the net. Nelson jumped back and just got a finger on the ball at the last second to knock it over the crossbar.

Notable: The Ducks outshot Northwestern 13-9 and took four corners to the Wildcats' one. … Thursday marked the season debut of freshman Giselle White, who made her first appearance in a Duck uniform after spending the last month at the FIFA U20 World Cup on Argentina's National Team. … It was Oregon's first game at Martin Stadium.

Up Next: Oregon travels south to Champaign, Ill., for a match at Illinois on Sunday (11 a.m. PT, B1G+).