2008 Woodie Awards
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Maintaining intensity
Oregon's goal of reaching the NCAA tournament has been affected by senior goalkeeper Jessie Chatfield's torn ACL
by James Christopherson | Freelance writer |
Led by captains Jessie Goodell, Danielle Sweeney and Jessie Chatfield, the Ducks have headed into this season with high expectations - and their play has shown it.
After missing the playoffs last year, the Ducks are back with a determination to improve upon last season's record of 8-8-4. They must do better than last season's 1-4-4 record against Pacific-10 Conference teams to reach their season goal: playoffs.
The team has plenty of returning players, with only two of last year's starters graduating. "Players are able to coach players," Sweeney said. "Our goal is to be in the playoffs."
Making the playoffs will not be an easy task with an always-competitive Pac-10. "It feels like every Pac-10 team is a rival," Sweeney said.
Aside from making the playoffs, the team expects to be among the top three or four teams in the conference.
With the team's theme of the season - "Everyday Intensity" - printed across their practice jerseys, the girls are working hard, playing physically and giving last-ditch efforts, making sure they leave it all on the field.
The Ducks also have a strong freshman class that has the potential to get some playing time throughout the season on this veteran team, as seen by the tough performance during training camp.
After camp this summer, a majority of the team stayed to work out with one another to help themselves get better and to build team chemistry. As sophomore midfielder Kirstie Kuhns put it, "Be extraordinary together, not ordinary apart."
The big story to watch is at keeper. Senior Jessie Chatfield went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament before the season began, which left the job open for competition between freshman Cody Miles and sophomore Tori Johnson. Miles nabbed the job, but the rest of the players know they will have to take on more responsibility to ensure more wins.
Another injury to watch is the torn hamstring sustained by sophomore Sara Plutco last season. If she can come back and play as she did before the injury, she will help anchor the middle of a potent Duck defense.
An early but telling game at No. 6 Portland was a good representation of what this team can be. Although the team lost 3-1, Oregon played with powerhouse Portland throughout, with the score 2-1 in the final minutes of the game. It was the first start of the Miles' career, visiting a team that is known to be loud with plenty of fans in the stands.
The next game is at home versus Weber State on Sunday, Sept. 28, at noon.
After missing the playoffs last year, the Ducks are back with a determination to improve upon last season's record of 8-8-4. They must do better than last season's 1-4-4 record against Pacific-10 Conference teams to reach their season goal: playoffs.
The team has plenty of returning players, with only two of last year's starters graduating. "Players are able to coach players," Sweeney said. "Our goal is to be in the playoffs."
Making the playoffs will not be an easy task with an always-competitive Pac-10. "It feels like every Pac-10 team is a rival," Sweeney said.
Aside from making the playoffs, the team expects to be among the top three or four teams in the conference.
With the team's theme of the season - "Everyday Intensity" - printed across their practice jerseys, the girls are working hard, playing physically and giving last-ditch efforts, making sure they leave it all on the field.
The Ducks also have a strong freshman class that has the potential to get some playing time throughout the season on this veteran team, as seen by the tough performance during training camp.
After camp this summer, a majority of the team stayed to work out with one another to help themselves get better and to build team chemistry. As sophomore midfielder Kirstie Kuhns put it, "Be extraordinary together, not ordinary apart."
The big story to watch is at keeper. Senior Jessie Chatfield went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament before the season began, which left the job open for competition between freshman Cody Miles and sophomore Tori Johnson. Miles nabbed the job, but the rest of the players know they will have to take on more responsibility to ensure more wins.
Another injury to watch is the torn hamstring sustained by sophomore Sara Plutco last season. If she can come back and play as she did before the injury, she will help anchor the middle of a potent Duck defense.
An early but telling game at No. 6 Portland was a good representation of what this team can be. Although the team lost 3-1, Oregon played with powerhouse Portland throughout, with the score 2-1 in the final minutes of the game. It was the first start of the Miles' career, visiting a team that is known to be loud with plenty of fans in the stands.
The next game is at home versus Weber State on Sunday, Sept. 28, at noon.
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