EUGENE, Ore. — The LSU soccer team fell to the Oregon Ducks on Sunday, 2-0, in its second game of the Oregon Classic at Pape’ Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
“We had a great start and a nice rhythm of play for the first 20 or 25 minutes but couldn’t sustain it,” said LSU head coach Brian Lee. “We played with great energy, but Oregon did a great job of dictating the next 60 minutes.”
Oregon scored the first goal of the match on a penalty kick by forward Nicole Garbin at the 34:11 mark of the first half. The goal was Garbin’s second of the season in as many games as she also scored on a penalty kick in Oregon’s 1-0 victory against Eastern Washington on Friday.
The Tigers went into halftime trailing 1-0 despite attempting five shots, including two shots on goal.
“We seemed to struggle with the reaction to the penalty kick,” Lee said. “We need to learn mental strength in terms of continuing to play the way we want to play and not having the game dictated to us. It’s just something we’ve got to work on. It’s good that we’ve had good starts in both our games, but we’ve got to get closer to putting 90 minutes together.”
Midfielder Cristan Higa scored Oregon’s second goal of the match and her first of the season in the fourth minute of the second half on a corner kick from defender Darcie Gardner. The Ducks finished the match with nine corner kicks to LSU’s one, including seven in the second half.
LSU was outshot in the game 18-11, although both teams fired five shots on goal. Oregon goalkeeper Jessica Chatfield recorded five saves to earn her second consecutive shutout to open the season.
The Tigers will return to action in their home opener at the LSU Soccer Complex against South Alabama on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. followed by a home match against in-state opponent Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 4 at noon.
“We’re really excited about Friday night,” Lee said. “The marketing and promotions department has worked really hard to promote it, and we appreciate their efforts. We’re looking forward to playing in front of the home fans and the LSU faithful and putting together a good performance.”
OREGON CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
F Nicole Garbin, Oregon
F Stacey Mescher, Oregon State
F Jodie Taylor, Oregon State
M Melissa Clarke, LSU
M Kelli Washburn, Oregon State
M Darci Gardner, Oregon
D Katie Abrahamson, Oregon
D Jen Crump, Oregon State
D Monica Storm, Oregon State
GK Jessie Chatfield, Oregon
GK Tiera Como, Eastern Washington
Co-Offensive MVP
F Nicole Garbin, Oregon;
F Stacey Mescher, Oregon State
Defensive MVP
GK Jessie Chatfield, Oregon