Late Goal Lifts Ducks Past Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – Zoe Hasenauer scored from distance in the 87th minute and Oregon's defense posted a shutout in the Ducks' 1-0 win over Texas Thursday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
 
Both defenses were up to the challenge Thursday night. The two teams combined to allow just five shots on frame. Fortunately for Oregon (3-0-2), the final one of the match found the back of the net.
 
"All the credit goes to our players for the way we went about the performance tonight," said head coach Graeme Abel. "A special finish to the game and a huge reward for every single one of our Ducks who stayed disciplined and put forth a very mature performance."

Watch Zoe Hasenauer's game-winner
https://twitter.com/OregonSoccer/status/1436148456968622082
 
How It Happened: With shots at a premium, Oregon's ability to hold possession in the middle third of the field finally paid off when Kess Elmore slid a pass across the middle to Hasenauer, who immediately went to work to clear a lane for herself. She appeared to be going out to the right, but when a Texas defender overplayed the move to cut her off, Hasenauer deftly tapped the ball to her left, looked up and saw nothing but green between her and the goalkeeper.
 
The senior from Simi Valley, Calif., who had reentered the game just minutes prior, struck a sharp, left-footed line-drive that arced over Longhorns' goalkeeper Savannah Madden and then bent under the crossbar for the game-winner with just over three minutes remaining.
 
"I knew I wanted to have the shot early since I had some good looks in the first half that barely missed wide," said Hasenauer. "As I was going back on in the game in the second half, Coach Graeme told me it only takes one moment of brilliance to put the game away so I focused on getting my shot on frame and giving my team a chance to win the game."
 
Who Stood Out: The Ducks were bolstered by the return of all-Pac-12 goalkeeper Leah Freeman, who made two saves in 90 minutes, but it was a team effort that stifled Texas (1-3-2) all night long. Freeman hadn't played since being injured at San Francisco on August 22.
 
What It Means: Oregon is undefeated through its first five games for just the second time in the last 10 years. Oregon's goal was its 14th of the season meaning in just five games, the Ducks have matched last season's total.
 
Quotable
Head Coach Graeme Abel
"We knew this would be a tight game and we had a game plan to manage the game throughout."
 
Notable: It was the Ducks' first win against a Big XII team since beating both Kansas State and Oklahoma in 2017 … It was the program's first-ever win in the state of Texas … Hasenauer's goal was the eighth of her career and her second game-winner … Elmore's assist was her first as a Duck … Freeman earned her seventh career shutout … Chardonnay Curran played in her 78th career game, which moved her into a tie for sixth on the UO career list with Maryn Beutler (2012-16) … Curran needs two more games played to tie the school record (80) and three to break it … The Ducks' 3-0-2 record is their best start to a season since going 4-0-1 in 2016 … Oregon had season lows in both shots (10) and fouls (5).
 
Up Next: The Lone Star State road trip wraps up Sunday at Baylor (5 p.m. PT, Big 12 Now on ESPN+).
 
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