Defense Dominant in Oregon Win Over Nevada

The Ducks will remain in Reno to face Boise State, which defeated Portland State 3-0 Friday.

Tiffany Smith led Oregon to a 1-0 season-opening win Friday at Nevada. Photo courtesy: goducks.com

RENO, Nevada - Tiffany Smith scored a goal in the 13th minute and the Oregon defense held Nevada to just six shots as the Ducks’ women’s soccer team opened the 2007 season with a 1-0 win against the Wolf Pack Friday night at Mackay Stadium.

“I don’t think they ever got in behind our defense and all their best chances came off set pieces and corners,” said Oregon head coach Tara Erickson. “It wasn’t real pretty but it was a good grind-it-out kind of win.”

Junior midfielder Jessica Goodell, a transfer from Nebraska playing in her first game for the Ducks (1-0-0), crossed the ball to Smith who found the back corner of the net for the only score of the game.

“(Smith’s) goal came on a really nice build up,” said Erickson. “Goodell made a great weakside run to the ball to get open and had a good first touch to Smith and she put it away.

“Jessie Goodell played very well at left (defensive) back in her first game for us,” Erickson said. “She was getting to the ball and did a lot of good things both offensively and defensively.”

It was the fifth career goal for Smith, a senior from Eugene, and of the five, four have been game-winners.

The Duck defense was so dominant that goalkeeper Jessie Chatfield didn’t have to make a single save to earn her 18th career win and add to her own school record with her 13th shutout.

The Wolf Pack didn’t attempt a shot in the first half, and of their six second half attempts, three were blocked by Duck defenders.

Nevada’s best chance to score came just after halftime when Samantha Miller’s shot hit the crossbar.

Allison Newton took two shots for the Ducks, while Jen Cameron, Teresa Bowns, Dani Oster, Goodell and Smith each had one.

Oregon avenged last season’s 2-1 loss to Nevada, which was one of the results that kept the Ducks from earning their first NCAA Tournament bid. Oregon also averted a repeat of last season’s 0-3 start.

“I wish we could have closed the deal a little earlier, but it was a nice little payback and good to start the season with a win,” said Erickson.

The Ducks will remain in Reno to face Boise State, which defeated Portland State 3-0 Friday, in a neutral site match Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

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