EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon played one of its most compete games of the season only to see Arizona State score twice in the final nine minutes as the Ducks dropped a 2-0 decision to the Sun Devils Friday at Papé Field.
“I thought we were outstanding,” said coach Graeme Abel. “I just said to the team that it’s a really cruel game, we’re obviously on that side of it right now. But I thought we were awesome. I thought we were brave in terms of game plan.
“They keep fighting and battling every single week and we keep getting better and better.”
How It Happened: Oregon (0-12-2, 0-6-0) matched a season high with 12 shots.
The Ducks played an aggressive first half, earning six corner kicks and outshooting the Sun Devils (9-2-4, 4-1-1), 9-7.
Oregon sent a pair of shots at ASU’s goal in the opening moments of the match. Livvy Moore hammered a line drive in the eighth minute that was stopped by ASU’s goalkeeper. Seconds later, Cameron Bourne fired a strike that was just over the crossbar.
In the 21st minute, Trinity Morales attempted a shot across the goal that barely trickled outside the far post.
Ryann Reynolds had two shots on frame for the Ducks in the first half, while Moore and Ajanae Respass each attempted one.
“I think it’s really fun out there,” said Moore. “We started to put together the things that we’re doing in practice and then it just creates joy and everybody wants to do that on the field. It just makes it more fun for everyone.”
Bourne had the Ducks’ best look in the second half with a 63rd minute shot that nearly slipped past the ASU keeper.
The Sun Devils scored the game’s first goal in the 82nd minute and added a second in the 85th minute.
Notable: Bourne attempted a season-best four shots, while Reynolds had a season-best three shots. … Ten of Oregon’s 12 shots on Friday were attempted by freshmen. … Defender Anna Phillips made her 50th consecutive start.
Quotable:
UO coach Graeme Abel
“It’s about teaching and it’s about making sure that we keep moving forward on and off the field and to make sure everyone stays confident. Those things are starting to come out and I’m so proud of them because they don’t go away each week.”
Up Next: Oregon heads to northern California next week for games at California Thursday and No. 2 Stanford Oct. 22.
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