Oregon Falls to Utah 2-0

 

Defender Scout Libke summed up Friday's disappointing 2-0 loss to Utah in Oregon's Pac-12 conference opener succinctly: "We put in a lot of effort," she said. "Everyone was working together, that type of thing but at the end of the day, that's not going to win games. We have to figure out how to score goals."

 

That they do. Several missed opportunities early for the Ducks let the Utes take control of the contest when a scramble in front of the Oregon allowed Utah's Harley Speir to rattle home the winning marker at 48:18.

 

Just seven minutes later, Utah sealed the victory when Leslie Muirhead converted a nice cross from Erin Dalley.

 

Content at that point to pack in the defense, Utah weathered a number of Oregon chances but the Ducks could never quite get the ball on goal.

 

Nether team offered a barrage of shots to defend. Oregon was credited with only three shots on goal, Utah four. Corner kicks were also at a premium, again Utah credited with four and the Ducks with only three.

 

"I thought we dominated them possession wise," said Libke. "But they (Utah) were gritty and they found the goals. Even the ugliest goals can win you games. And they proved that."

 

"We can possess the ball all we want," said head coach Tara Erickson. "But we have to figure out a way to step in and score the goal. You are not going to get chance after chance."

 

"I thought Utah ... stuck to their game plan which was to pump the ball down the field . and they were able to find a way to get the ball in the back of the net."

 

"I have to make sure that as a coach that I show them the positives from the game, because there a lot of positives. There were seven young freshmen out there ... and they played some good possession soccer, so those are positives."

 

"I have got to help them understand the next level of what we are trying to get to, and like I say keep them positive."

 

"The Pac-12, it goes by so fast," said forward Julie Armstrong. "You can't hang on (to the loss) too long or the next game is here."

 

Can the Ducks recover from this loss before then? "I think if we have the right mindset, yeah" said Armstrong. "But we need to get it there first."

 

The setback drops Oregon's season record to 5-4-1 and the Ducks will be on the road for their next five matches, starting at UCLA next Friday night.

 

Oregon's next home appearance is on Friday, October 21, when the Ducks will host the Washington Huskies at Pape Field beginning at 7:00 pm.