Oregon Ducks News: Soccer drops close one, Sabrina sits out, Cowboys rope Skyhawks

A daily rundown of stories, highlights and links in Oregon sports
New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's defense erupted for for sacks and an interception in  Oklahoma State's  27-7 win over UT Martin.
New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's defense erupted for for sacks and an interception in Oklahoma State's 27-7 win over UT Martin. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon women drop tough one at home to New Mexico, 1-0

At Pape Field Thursday night the Ducks battled to a 0-0 tie in the first half but allowed a single goal in the 68th minute by New Mexico's Alejandra Puerto to lose 1-0. They host Grand Canyon on Sunday at 11 a.m., TV on Big Ten+.

It was a frustrating night for the Ducks as they were turned away on seven shots on goal and five corner kicks. Four days ago in Hawaii, they won 3-0 to win the Outrigger Soccer Kickoff on goal differential, getting goals from Sydney Chura, Hawaii native Carly McCormack and Cailin Bloom.

After five games the team stands 2-2-1 on the season. Both of their losses, to Sacramento State in Hawaii and now the Lobos, have been by a 1-0 score, the only goals allowed so far this season by goalkeeper Caeley Goldstein, who made five saves Thursday night.

Liberty demystify Washington with Sabrina sidelined

Minus three starters, Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, WNBA champion New York found a way to beat the Mystics at home at the Barclays Center Thursday night. The Liberty got 35 points from their bench in an 89-63 victory.

Ionescu is day-to-day with swelling in her left foot after an injury at practice. The team plays Saturday at Phoenix, a 7 p.m. PT road game on NBA TV.

A clever clutch pass from Marine Johannes to Emma Meeseman highlighted the offensive effort.

Ducks Game Two opponent Oklahoma State mashes UT Martin 27-7

Thursday night in Stillwater, the Cowboys wrangled UT Martin of the Ohio Valley Conference to start 1-0 in 2025. OSU's defense clamped down after allowing one first quarter scoring drive, paced by three sacks from 6-3, 255 freshman linebacker Wendell Gregory.

Cowboys starter at quarterback Hauss Hejney led 71- and 93-yard touchdown drives on their first two possessions but left the game after injuring his leg early in the second quarter, walking to the locker room on his own power.

Backup Zane Flores, a redshirt freshman from Gretna, Nebraska, went the rest of the way, completing 13-20 passes for 136 yards, throwing mostly quick screens and short passes in his first college game. He did break free for a 19-yard run. The Cowboy running game produced just 127 yards on 42 rushing attempts.

In his postgame press conference, head coach MIke Gundy was frustrated about the lack of running room, citing inexperience from his offensive line.

“Not much space,” Gundy said. “OK, pretty cut and simple. We didn’t do a good job of giving them space. …

“I think we turned more guys loose up front than we should have. That’s my opinion. Those guys have never played before. It just takes a little time with that. That’s an issue when you’re dealing with an offensive line that’s never played before. The communication is so important, so coaches gotta find a way to improve that and make it better.”

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