SEATTLE, Wash.— The University of Oregon fell to the Washington Huskies 2-0 Thursday night on the road in Seattle, Wash. Oregon drops to 7-9-2 and 2-6-2 in Pac-12 play, while the Huskies advance to 10-6-2 and 3-5-1 in the conference. 

“We came out trying to adjust to the conditions and trying to gain our footing in slippery ground,” said head coach Tara Erickson. “We came out defensively trying to adjust to Washington midfield. They run a 4-4-2 and have a lot of numbers in the middle of the field, so we were working hard to adjust defensively.” 

Washington’s strategy took UO off guard as they scored two first-half goals. In the game’s 20th minute, a Husky sent the ball into the box from the left side near the goal line before Allie Beahan picked up the ball in front of a diving Abby Steele and crossed it again to a player who scored on an empty net. Later on in the 37th minute, a Lindsay Elston drilled a shot from about 22 yards out that just skipped past Steele near-post. 

“After giving up two goals, we adjusted and came out with a stronger performance in the second half,” added Erickson. “We came out with 3 backs and played a little better in the midfield. We played hard in stretches but we have to come out with more consistency overall. That is what we will drive for on Sunday. Well look to bounce back on Sunday.” 

Washington outshot the Ducks 14-9, while UO held the advantage in corner kicks (2-0) and saves (5-3). Senior midfielder Scout Libke had a an opportunity as she fired a shot on goal in the second half, while Oregon’s other close opportunity to a goal came in the first half as Bri Pugh dribbled past two defenders from the left side of the box towards the middle and took a shot on frame. 

Oregon heads to the east Washington to take on Washington State in Pullman, Wash. on Sunday at noon.