EUGENE, Ore. --The Oregon Ducks women’s soccer team (3-0-1) met the Oregon State Beavers (1-3) in the 34th edition of this historic rivalry, formerly known as the Civil War. The rivalry renewed after a 3-year hiatus due to conference realignment. The overall record is in favor of the Ducks, with 12 wins, 11 losses, and 4 draws. Oregon comes into this game touting their best start to the season since 2016, when the Ducks held a 6-1-1 record through 8 games and were 3-0-1 through 4 games.
The Ducks clearly intended to start with an edge, controlling much of the possession throughout the first half. Head Coach Tracy Joyner spoke on how the sellout crowd at Pape Field aided her squad throughout the match. “I mean, that’s what rivalry games are about, both teams coming out and having great supporters. It just seems kinda fun. It was awesome just being on that side and getting to see the fans in the crowd and how they change the environment. It’s incredible,” Joyner said.
There seemed to be an emphasis on overloading of the right flank for the Ducks with combination play, allowing junior Carly Cormack to be able to drop slightly deeper and provide ball distribution to the front two in Shiloh Baird and Ellie Felt, and occasionally out wide to Abella Hunter and Cloe Chase. Even with a more methodical approach to that side of the field, the Oregon offense was able to create 1v1 opportunities due to their positive off the ball runs and pressing. All this action on the right side of the field left even more 1v1 opportunities for Cloe Chase and eventually Felt on the left side. These isolations with the Beaver’s fullbacks led to quality spells of attack and chances, as the Ducks managed to create a deserved 13 shots in comparison to Oregon State’s two.
Ellie Felt opened the scoring in the 27th minute after referee Diego Rodas decided to take a look at the video review in response to a late challenge on Abella Hunter after her 50/50 play at the back post. The decision was a penalty, with Felt stepping up to the spot and calmly tucking the pen into the bottom right corner.
Substitute Logan Russo added to the Ducks’ one-nil lead nine minutes later with a 20-yard strike from outside the box, which looped over OSU goalkeeper Libby Brooker. Five minutes later, Russo came back again with a clinical finish to Brooker's left side. Completing Russo’s brace and adding her first two goals of the season, complementing her assist in Sunday’s match vs the University of San Francisco. The Ducks led at the break 3-0.
To begin the second half, Oregon continued to demand possession, with center-defensive-midfielder Maddie Sharrer and Center-Back Kylie Farmer thwarting any possible Beaver counter-attack. Cormack immediately looked to break midfield lines, resulting in much of the early 10-15 minutes being played in Oregon State’s final third. That high press was rewarded by Cloe Chase’s first goal of the campaign after a snap header beat Brooker to her left once again in the 59th minute. Miya Alamares was credited with the assist after her searching cross found Chase.
Ellie Felt wanted to join in on the scoring fun this second half as a great ball from Elise Picard found the head of Felt in the 66th minute, and after a lengthy review, the goal stood, culminating in a brace for the sophomore from Portland. Felt spoke on the team’s ability to quickly transition to the attack and create 1v1 opportunities. “Yeah, I think that’s what we look for. Our team is really technical, so looking to get the 1v1s is a really big thing for us since I think we’re all really good at it,” Felt said. Three minutes later, in the 69th minute, Savannah Holley slotted the ball home on the pass from Picard, giving the redshirt junior her second assist of the game.
After this flurry of Oregon scoring, the game slowed down a bit as the Ducks went into management mode and were able to see out the few Beaver attacks later in the second half. Oregon ended the evening with an impressive 22 shots, with 13 of them being on net.
6-0 was the final score for this rivalry game as the Ducks look forward to a date with Utah on Thursday, September 3rd at Papé Field. While Oregon State will head back to Corvallis to face the Washington Huskies on Sunday.