Oregon Tops Portland State, 2-1

With the win Oregon moves to 6-3 on the season, and has a showdown against No. 2 Portland looming on Friday.

Tiffany Smith had a goal and an assist to beat Portland State on Sunday. Photo courtesy: goducks.com

EUGENE, Ore. - For the second year in a row, Tiffany Smith foiled Portland State, while Jessie Chatfield tied Amanda Fox for the school’s career wins record as Oregon defeated the Vikings 2-1 Sunday at Pape’ Field.

Smith, a senior from Eugene, Ore., set up Oregon’s first score in the eighth minute when she feathered a pass up the middle to Teresa Bowns, who beat Portland State goalkeeper Cris Lewis from eight yards out.

It was the third goal in two games for Bowns, a sophomore from Redmond, Wash.

"PSU always comes to battle but I think we came out and got on them early and scored which set the tempo for the rest of the game," said Oregon coach Tara Erickson, whose Ducks moved to 6-3 on the season with a showdown against No. 2 Portland looming on Friday.

Smith scored the game-winner in the 37th minute in front of a rain-soaked crowd of 430. Allison Newton started the scoring play by reversing the ball to Jessica Goodell on the right side.

Goodell then lifted a cross into the heart of the PSU goal box, and Smith headed the ball into the left corner of the net from five yards out.

"I felt like we played a really good game and pretty well for a Sunday game in these conditions," said Smith. "I don’t think the rain affected us too much. If anything it’s just great to be out there working on our slide-tackling and everything."

It was Smith’s third goal of the season, all of which have been game-winners. It was also Smith’s seventh career goal, six of which have been game-winners.

Smith transferred to Oregon after playing her freshman season at Portland State.

"Yeah, this game still means a lot to me even though I only know one of the girls and the coach," said Smith. "Each game is important and every game means something, but it’s still fun to play them."

Chatfield recorded her 23rd career victory in spite of yielding a goal to Tarah Authier in the 79th minute that cut Oregon’s advantage to 2-1.

The junior from Eugene, Ore., tried to save Authier’s high cross, but the ball deflected off her fingertips and just crossed the goal line.

In the first half, Chatfield kept PSU scoreless by making a point-blank save on Sarah Smart’s open net shot that followed a bit of confusion on the UO back line.

Chatfield had three saves for the game in tying Fox, who won 23 games for Oregon between 1996-99.

"I was proud of the way we played, especially in these conditions where the ground is slippery and the ball is wet," said Erickson. "I just think we controlled the game very well."

Oregon outshot the Vikings (4-6) 17-5, led by Bowns’ career-high tying seven attempts.

The Ducks next turn their attention to the Pilots for Friday’s 7 p.m. game at Pape’s Field. Portland should be bolstered by the return of U.S. World Cup player Stephanie Lopez.

Oregon will be honoring its 1980 and 1981 teams throughout the evening with pregame activities and concluding in a special halftime ceremony.

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