By Olivia Arciniega
The Ducks look to avenge themselves against Merrimack University on Wednesday at Papé Field. Oregon began the season with a 4-1 record, its best start to a season in program history. Jessica Drummond has led this team to its recent success, stepping into the head coach role just this year.
Oregon
The Ducks will look to build on their winning record with three upcoming games on their home turf, where they remain undefeated. Despite a disappointing 8-17 loss to No. 22 Rutgers this past weekend, there’s a lot to look forward to for this team. They are ranked second in the Pac-12 right behind UC Davis (5-1, yet to play a conference team), and their attack is something to be scared of. Sophomore midfielder Anna Simmons leads the team in goals this year as a sophomore midfielder with 16 this season, ranking third in the Pac-12. She’s a force to be reckoned with, leading the team in forced turnover, a category in which she ranks top 50 nationwide. Right behind her is the one and only Morgan McCarthy, Oregon’s senior attacker with 13 goals on the season, four of them being hat tricks with three of those coming in a row. Simmons and McCarthy both lead the team in ground balls as well. Overall, their offense leads the Pac-12 and is a top 20 team for average goals per game (15.2), with McCarthy, Lauren Rismani and Simmons ranking top 10 in the Pac-12 for points.
In the midfield, Rachel Pallo has been dominating on the draw, breaking the program's single-game draw control twice in a row, first against Saint Francis with 11, and then versus Marist with 12. The defense is ranked 10th in the nation for shots on goal per game, putting Thayer Hubbard to work. However, she has stepped up immensely, ranked top 50 in the country for SV%, (.441), and has started three out of the five games.
Merrimack
The Warriors are coming into this game with a 0-4 record and some pretty tough losses. Merrimack competes with the strong schools of the east, although it has not played a ranked team. However, its competition has still been tough. It lost to two undefeated teams, and a team with just one loss, and this game won’t necessarily be a cakewalk. Attacker Sophie Scearbo leads the team in both goals and points, with freshman attacker Lindsay Atkinson right behind her. Both girls have under 10 goals and points on the season.
Junior goalie Hayley Kowalczyk cannot be underestimated by Oregon’s attack. She has a .500 save percentage coming into Wednesday, and in two of her three games played, she has recorded more saves than goals allowed.
Coming off of a tough loss to No. 22 Rutgers this past Sunday, the Ducks will look to earn a win at home against Merrimack before they host Furman this upcoming Sunday. These two games will set the tone for Oregon’s upcoming stretch of conference games, beginning March 16 with Cal at home.