Ducks Host Civil War at Pape' Field on Friday

Ducks look to extend unbeaten streak, Pac-10 lead.

Civil War game happens Friday

EUGENE - Oregon hosts the always-exciting Civil War, presented by your Northwest Dodge Dealers, Friday at 7:00 PM at Pape’ Field.

The Ducks enter the week on top of the Pac-10 standings with 10 points (3-0-1), one point ahead of No. 3 UCLA (3-0-0).

Civil War Artillery:

The winning team in seven of the last nine Civil War games has scored at least three goals, including last season’s 4-2 Beaver win in Corvallis. The wildest game in the series came in 2003 when Oregon won 4-3 in overtime -- UO’s last win in the series. The Ducks haven’t defeated the Beavers in Eugene since a 3-0 win in 1998. Oregon leads the overall series 5-4-1.

Oregon’s Unbeaten Streak at Four Games:

The Ducks are off to their best Pac-10 start in school history with a 3-0-1 mark. With one more victory, the Ducks will set school records for wins in a season and Pac-10 wins in a season.

Chatfield Ties Career Shutouts Mark:

Just 29 games into her Oregon career, sophomore goalkeeper Jessie Chatfield has tied the school record for shutouts in a career with 11. She matched the mark, set by Amanda Fox in 75 games from 1996-99, in Sunday’s 0-0 tie with WSU.

Defense on Record Pace Again:

Oregon’s defense notched its seventh shutout of 2006 in the 0-0 tie with Washington State to tie the school single-season record set last season. The Duck D has also surrendered just 13 goals this season for a 0.84 goals against average, well ahead of pace to break the school records for fewest goals allowed (27 in 1999) and lowest goals against average (1.36 in 1999). The Ducks have also posted back-to-back shutouts twice in 2006. Freshman Emily Zaler notched three of those shutouts (Gonzaga, Eastern Washington, Idaho). Then Jessie Chatfield, back from a broken suffered Sept. 8th versus New Hampshire, shut out Portland State 1-0 in double-overtime on Sept. 29th. It marked the fifth time in school history that the Ducks have posted back-to-back shutouts. Four of those five times have come under coach Tara Erickson in the last two seasons.

Garbin on Verge of Shots Record:

Senior forward Nicole Garbin comes into the OSU game with 63 shots so far in 2006 and needs just eight more to break the UO season record of 70.

The Buzz:

Oregon’s 3-0-1 start to Pac-10 play has helped the Ducks earn a regional ranking by Soccer Buzz for just the second time in school history. Oregon is tied for 15th with Washington State in the West region. The Ducks were last ranked regionally in 1998.

Defense Remains Active in Offense:

Oregon’s defense is taking an active role in the team’s offense this season. Ten of Oregon’s 20 assists have come from defensive players -- defensive midfielders Jen Cameron (2) and Rianna Mansfield (1), and defenders Danielle Sweeney (3), Dylann Tharp (2), Nicole Dobrzynski (1) and Barbara Blocker (1). Blocker also has a goal from the back line. The defense has already surpassed last season’s assists output; in 2005, the defenders combined for seven assists over the course of the 19-game season. And there is reason to be optimistic with a defense that should remain in tact through the 2007 season -- junior Tharp (D), sophomores Cameron (M), Jessie Chatfield (GK), Dobrzynski (D) and Gardner (D), and freshmen Sweeney (D), Emily Zaler (GK), Blocker (D) and Mansfield (M).

Close Games & Tough Opponents:

Oregon’s first eight games of 2006 and 12 of 15 overall have been decided by one goal or less. The Idaho game on Sept. 24th, a 2-0 win, was the Oregon’s first game not decided by a single goal. The Ducks are 7-4-1 in one goal-or-less games this season.

The Ducks’ five losses have come to opponents that continue to play well in 2006. Through Sunday, the combined record of Long Beach State (12-2-1), UC Riverside (7-7-1), Loyola Marymount (7-2-4), Nevada (8-3-3) and Portland (12-2-2) was 46-16-11.

Road Warriors:

Oregon is 7-3 this season in games played away from Eugene -- and 5-3 in true road games -- but just 2-2-1 at home in 2006. Oregon’s five road wins broke the previous season mark of four set in 2003 and matched last season.

History Making Weekend:

By winning at the Arizona schools Oct. 6th-8th, the Ducks notched a number of significant marks. Here’s a brief rundown:

* Oregon defeated a top 25 team for just the second time in program history, and for the first time ever on the road, when it defeated No. 24 Arizona on Oct. 6th. In 41 meetings with top 25 teams, Oregon’s only previous defeat of a ranked team was a 2-1 win against No. 20 UCLA, Oct. 31st, 1999, in Eugene.

* Oregon swept a Pac-10 series for just the second time in school history and for the first time ever on the road. The Ducks swept the Arizona schools in Eugene in 1998.

* UO opened Pac-10 play 2-0 for the first time in school history.

Ducks Tie Scoring Record:

Between Sept. 3rd and Sept. 29th, Oregon scored at least one goal in eight consecutive games. That matched the school record set over the 1996 and 1997 seasons, and matched last year. Portland put an end to the Ducks’ run with a 3-0 shutout on Oct. 1st.

One Big Happy Family:

The opening week of the season was quite eventful for the Erickson family. Oregon head coach Tara Erickson gave birth to daughter Taj Makena on Aug. 23rd. Less than two days after giving birth, she returned to the sideline for the Ducks’ season-opener versus Long Beach State. Erickson then celebrated her 33rd birthday the next day. And four days after Taj Makena’s birth, dad Kraig Erickson competed in Ironman Canada (Penticton, B.C.) and completed the triathlon in 12:34:33, placing 863rd out of 2,352 entrants (2,175 finished).

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