Minneapolis, MN. – The University of Oregon Ducks set out on the road to Denver against stiff opposition for their first three games of the 2009 season and returned from Minnesota with well deserved confidence in their abilities and a better understanding of the level at which they will need to reach in order to win an MCLA national championship. The young Ducks jumped into season play against Minnesota-Duluth (6,) the University of Minnesota, and BYU (3).

Oregon's first game of the tournament pitted them against notoriously physical Minnesota-Duluth. The Ducks proved that they could give as many hits as they took as the game was, "the most physical game I've played in my time at the U of O" said one Oregon player. UMD jumped out to an early lead and maintained it throughout a hard-hitting, fast-paced first half. The scrappy Ducks continued to chip away at Duluth's lead and sophomore midfielder Kevin Clark put in the equalizer at the beginning of the fourth quarter to tie the score at 8-8. The fourth quarter was a battle for every possession and despite Oregon's best effort, Duluth prevailed 11-9. "Despite the disappointing loss, this game and the caliber of play that we came out of the gates with validated our claim of being one of the top teams in the country. We're very proud of the way we performed on the field and the physical style that we brought to the table, we definitely want to be considered one of the most physical teams in the MCLA." said co-head coach John Wright.

The next opponent waiting in the wings for the Ducks was the University of Minnesota the following night. After a slow start that saw the Golden Gophers ahead 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, it was all Ducks for the rest of the night after the U of O went on a nine goal run. The final score of the contest was 12-6 in favor of the University of Oregon.

After a Sunday off to recuperate from their previous two contests, the Ducks faced the BYU Cougars on a cold Minnesota Monday morning. The first half was evenly matched and ended with the two teams deadlocked at four goals apiece. In the second half however, BYU took over as penalties took their toll on the Ducks defense. Oregon refused to admit defeat and continued to fight but the final score ended in the Cougars' favor, 15-8.

"This weekend showed us that we are a very good team but not yet great," said co-head coach Andrew Clough, "In my mind we were one half away and thirty seconds away from going 3-0 against very stiff competition. We know what we need to work on and build on in the future to take that next step."

This coming week the Ducks travel to Montana and Washington to play the University of Montana Grizzlies Saturday, February 21 at 1:00 pm and Gonzaga University Sunday, February 22 at noon.

2009-02-19