Ducks Gritty in 1-1 Tie at WSU

PULLMAN, Wash. – True Dydasco tied the game in the 71st minute and Oregon's defense rose to the occasion as the Ducks and Washington State played to a 1-1 tie Sunday at Lower Soccer Field.
 
In a match that featured 30 shots and 35 fouls. Oregon (5-5-5, 3-4-3) prevented the Cougars from getting many clean looks at the goal. When they did, goalkeeper Leah Freeman was there to tidy things up, making three saves, including the final one in the 110th minute.
 
How it Happened: Both teams had scoring chances throughout the first half, but it was WSU (6-3-2, 2-2-2) scoring first off a corner kick in the 39th minute.
 
Sydney Pulver lofted a corner toward the 18-yard-line that Mykiaa Minniss headed forward to Margie Detrizio for the scoring header.
 
The teams went to halftime with the Cougars leading 1-0.
 
In the second half, Oregon put pressure on WSU with Zoe Hasenauer's shot from the right side in the 59th minute that trailed just beyond the far post.
 
The Ducks nearly broke through on a free kick in the 69th minute. Dydasco connected with Ally Cook at the five-yard line and Cook got a foot to the ball but her shot was saved point-blank by WSU's Marissa Zucchetto. Cook led the team with six shots.
 
Oregon finally knotted the match in the 71st minute when Hasenauer fed Dydasco at the top of the box. The senior from Honolulu took a touch to clear some space and then beat Zuchetto to the left side from 16 yards out.
 
A few minutes later, the Cougars were inches from taking a 2-1 lead. Alyssa Gray slipped a shot past Freeman but Mia Palmer was able to get a toe on it and slow the ball just enough to allow Freeman to pounce on it as it straddled the goal line. In soccer, the entire ball must clear the goal line to count as a score. Freeman also made a save in the 81st minute as the match went into overtime.
 
Neither team was able to mount much of a scoring opportunity in extra time until a wild exchange in the final minute.
 
Oregon dispossessed WSU from the ball around midfield, and Palmer passed the ball back to Freeman, but as Freeman planted her foot to clear the ball away, it stuck in the turf, causing her to strike the ball awkwardly. The Cougars picked up the loose ball in Oregon's final third as Freeman crumpled to the ground.
 
WSU worked the ball to Gray who was open just outside the box and moved on the Ducks' goal, but Freeman rose up and charged at the Cougar forward on one healthy leg and blanketed Gray's shot for her third save of the game. Freeman was unable to continue after the play and Charlotte Brisley played the final 44 seconds in net for the Ducks.
 
Both teams attempted 15 shots. Oregon was called for 17 fouls to WSU's 18. It was the highest number of fouls in a conference match this season for the Ducks and the second-highest overall.
 
Who Stood Out: Not only did Dydasco score, but she also created some of the Ducks' best scoring opportunities throughout the match.
 
What It Means: With one match remaining, Oregon has the opportunity for its first winning season in 14 years.
 
Notable: Oregon trailed at halftime for just the third time this season. With her 11th career assist on the goal by Dydasco, Hasenauer moved into a tie for six all-time at Oregon. With three shots on Sunday to give her 120 for her career, Hasenauer passed former teammate Marissa Everett (119/2015-18) for seventh in UO career shots. The goal was Dydasco's second of the season and second of her career. Freshman Megan Rucker started on defense with Chai Cortez moving up to forward on Sunday. Rucker attempted her first career shot. With the game ending in a draw, Brisley earned the decision in her first action of the season.
 
Injury Update: Freeman did not require an x-ray after the game and travelled with the team back to Eugene. She will be reevaluated this week.
 
Quotable:
Head coach Graeme Abel:
"It was a solid result. WSU is a tough place to play and they've been very successful at home, but I was proud of our team because we didn't back down from that challenge. It was a really good effort for 110 minutes on a Sunday especially coming off a tough overtime game on Friday."
 
Up Next: Oregon closes out the 2020-21 regular season by hosting Oregon State Friday at 6 p.m. (Pac-12 Network).
 
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