Oregon Hangs on For Fourth Win in a Row

The Ducks return home for the first time in nearly a month to host Nevada Friday at 7:00 PM.

Photo: goducks.com

CHENEY, WASHINGTON - Tiffany Smith scored in the 11th minute and Emily Zaler made seven saves as Oregon hung on to defeat Eastern Washington 1-0 Sunday in the Ducks’ first ever visit here.

The win was Oregon’s fourth in a row, raising the team’s record to 4-3-0. The Eagles fell to 1-6-1 on the season.

Smith, playing in just her second game of the year after missing the first three weeks recovering from off-season ankle surgery, received a pass from Nicole Garbin and wheeled and fired from eight yards out for the game’s lone score.

It was the first goal of the season and second career score for the Eugene, Oregon, native and Sheldon High School graduate.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game,” said Oregon coach Tara Erickson. “But any win, especially on the road, is a good one.

Zaler made three saves in the first half and four in the second in earning her second straight shutout and third straight win. The freshman from Scottsdale, Ariz. , has started the last three games in place of the injured Jessie Chatfield, a sophomore from Eugene who suffered a broken hand Sept. 8th versus New Hampshire and will be out for at least two more games.

Erickson also noted sophomore Jen Cameron’s presence in the midfield as a key in keeping the Eagles off the scoreboard and giving the UO defense its third shutout in the last four games.

Garbin, a senior from Wailuku, Hawaii., earned a spot atop another Oregon career list with her assist on Sunday. It was her sixth career game-winning assist, tying her with Andrea Valadez (2003-05) for first place. It is the fifth different UO career record that Garbin either owns outright or shares with one other player.

GAME NOTES: Oregon’s four-game winning streak is tied for the third longest in school history...the Ducks had a six-game streak last year and a five-game streak in 2003...Oregon has not allowed a goal since the first half of the Sept. 10th Iona win, a span that has now reached 244:36 and is the third-longest scoreless streak in school history...next up is 264:28 set in 1998...the school record of 355:47 was set last season...the Ducks recorded back-to-back shutouts for only the fourth time in school history, but for the third time in the past two seasons...Garbin had five shots Sunday, giving her an even 200 for her career...freshman midfielder Rianna Mansfied missed her fourth straight game with a sore hip flexor.

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