Ducks Play No. 3 UCLA to 0-0 Draw

LOS ANGELES – Goalkeeper Leah Freeman made six saves to back a standout effort by the Oregon defense as the Ducks played No. 3 UCLA to a 0-0 draw in overtime Friday night at Annenberg Stadium.
 
The Ducks (5-0-4, 0-0-1) posted their third consecutive shutout to halt the Bruins' eight-game winning streak. It was Oregon's first shutout against UCLA in program history.
 
"We executed on a game plan and the times we got stretched, our organization in the final third was very good," said head coach Graeme Abel. "Overall, our work ethic and application was second to none tonight."
 
How It Happened: Oregon pressured UCLA from the opening kick and had some of the better looks in the first 45 minutes. The Ducks had their best opportunity to score in the first half when Ally Cook fed Lexi Romero in front of the net in the 44th minute, but UCLA's Lauren Brzykcy made the save on Romero's chip shot.
 
UCLA (8-0-1, 0-0-1) had two second half chances turned away by the Ducks. The Bruins had three looks at the net off a free kick in the 60th minute but Freeman was able to make two close-range saves on the play, while the third attempt was wide.
 
The save of the night came in the 69th minute when Sunshine Fontes got to a ball behind Oregon's backline but Freeman charged out of the net to smother Fontes' head on strike from inside the 18.
 
Then it was Oregon's turn to threaten in the 82nd minute when Eden Hardy fed Cook from the right side, but Brzykcy made a twisting save on Cook's try.
 
Both defenses were up to the challenge in extra time with UCLA attempting the only shot, one that was well wide, in the 110th minute.
 
Who Stood Out: Oregon's defense stifled UCLA all night, limiting the Bruins' ability to build their attack. Center backs Croix Soto and Anna Phillips had the middle of the field locked down, while outside backs Chai Cortez and Mia Palmer limited UCLA's attacks from the wings. Chardonnay Curran, playing in her school-record 82nd match, intercepted numerous passes in the midfield to halt the Bruins' momentum.
 
What It Means: Both Oregon and UCLA were shutout for the first time this season. The tie broke UCLA's 14-match winning streak in the series. Dating back to last season, Oregon is unbeaten in its last 11 games (7-0-4). That is the second-longest such streak in program history, trailing only 21 consecutive matches (17-0-4) without dropping a game over the course of the 1980 and 1981 seasons.
 
Quotable
Head Coach Graeme Abel
"Incredibly proud of our Ducks tonight. We were able to create good chances and will look at our execution in the final to make sure we punish teams moving forward."
  
Notable: Freeman recorded her fifth shutout of the season which is tied for sixth on the UO season list and is just two behind the school record (seven) … Friday was also her 10th career shutout … Curran started her 74th career match to tie Stacy Herbert (1996-99) for eighth on the UO career list … Alice Barbieri led the Ducks in shots (three) for the second straight match … Palmer played in her 78th career game to move into a tie for seventh with Maryn Beutler (2012-16).
 
Up Next: At California, Thursday, 4 p.m. (Pac-12 Network).
 
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