Ducks Open Season with Back‑to‑Back Wins
The Oregon Ducks soccer squad kicked off its campaign with two convincing home victories, defeating Portland State and Gonzaga in front of enthusiastic crowds at Papé Field. The back‑to‑back wins lifted the team to an early 2‑0 record and set a positive tone for the season.
Against Portland State, Oregon controlled possession, outshooting the opposition four to one and finding the net three times in the second half. Carly Cormack opened the scoring, and Shiloh Baird capped the flurry with a spectacular strike that saw her loft the ball over the goalkeeper’s head and into the corner of the net.
Gonzaga Tested by Oregon’s Attack
The following night, the Ducks faced Gonzaga and again found the back of the net twice after the break. Lauren Hunter opened the scoring with a precise free‑kick in the first half, while Baird added her second goal of the season in the latter period. Abella Hunter also contributed a gritty effort that resulted in a goal, underscoring the team’s depth.
Defensive Resolve
Goalkeeper Gray Willson was busy early on, making several key saves to keep Gonzaga at bay, but Oregon’s defense tightened dramatically in the final 20 minutes, denying the Bulldogs any shots on target and preserving a clean sheet.
Bay Area Road Trip
The Ducks are now headed to the Bay Area for matches against Santa Clara and San Francisco, both slated for evening kick‑offs on ESPN+ at 7:30 pm PT and 12:00 pm PT respectively. The upcoming contests are expected to be tightly contested, but the coaching staff remains confident that the momentum built in the first two games will carry forward.