Oregon soccer defeated the Utah Utes 1-0 this afternoon at Pape Field.

It was a quick start for the Ducks and Oregon was able to get on the board first.

In the 10th minute a leading pass from junior Kristen Parr, Bri Pugh was able to find the back night, beating Utah’s goalie Lindsey Luke with a shot from the left side to the top right corner of the net.

“Their outside back was way overcommitted, and I saw a lot of space and made a run,” Pugh said. “It was early so my legs weren’t tired yet and Kristen played a great ball.”

Pugh’s goal was her second of the season, with her last goal on Aug. 24 against Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“It’s been a long time coming, so it felt good,” said Pugh.

Oregon had quite a few opportunities through out the first half and the Ducks finished with four shots for the first half.

The Utes were almost able to tie up the match in the first half in the 39th minute. Utah made a nice cross to the left side of the field, but Katie Taylor shot the ball too high after the net.

In the 43rd minute, Luke was pressured by an Oregon cross from Kelsey Foo and a quick rebound shot from defender Riley Smith.

Kelsey Foo took a hard tumble towards the end of the first, but was able to walk off on her own.

In the second half, Utah came out with a little more energy compared to the first.

However, Oregon was able to contain the Utes with help from Abby Steele. In the 58th minute Ryan Davie also made a big defense play in front of Oregon’s goal to fend off Utah’s offensive pressure.

Steele picked up another save in the 61st minute from a header shot from Utah’s Taylor.

Oregon continued to have scoring chances throughout the half, but Luke continued to stay strong in the net.

The team had a scary moment in the 80th minute as Steele and Smith collided as Steele leaped in the air to punch the ball away from going in the net. Steele appeared to be fine but sophomore Lauren Holden came in to take her place in net.

Holden said it was a big shock to go in and was definitely a little nervous, but still felt comfortable knowing she had a strong defense in front of her.

“Once I am at there, I know what I am doing and I feel pretty confident once I am out there,” said Holden.

When asked about Steele’s status after the game, coach Mertz hinted that she thought it may of been an aggravated injury to her shoulder from the Arizona game last Sunday.

Mertz also added that she has the upmost confidence in Holden being able to help the Ducks finish the game with a win.

Minutes later Oregon was able to sneak by as Reilley Moore made a sliding stop, but also injured herself as she slammed into the post.

Again Utah had one last shot at redemption with a free kick from Avery Jenkins which allowed Katie Rigby to take a quick shot, but Holden was able to stand tall in the net and notch a save in a stressful last minute.

“They clearly had a couple chances at the end, but that is us trying to figure out how to win a game,” said Mertz. “We are up 1-0 and we get a little panicked and continue to give the ball away, but I am proud we got a shutout…we’ll take it.”

Next up for Oregon is Colorado on Sunday. That match is set for 1 p.m. at Papé Field.