Mertz also has the advantage of entering a program with 20 returning players. The veterans include 5 of the Ducks offensive core, led by Sophomore Kristen Parr. This is good news for the Ducks, who primary struggle was putting goals in the net last season. If Oregon wants to make a run in the Pac-12 and post a winning season, Oregon’s forwards will have to step up. Fortunately for the Ducks, Parr, last year’s top scorer with 7 goals, will be back to lead the attack.
Others who will be expected to step up offensively are forwards Brooke Strawn, Achijah Berry, and Bri Pugh. While Strawn, the 6-1 forward, was still getting her feet during her first season last year, this could be her breakout year. Strawn scored 2 goals in Oregon’s spring exhibition games and if she can learn to use her height to her advantage, it could create mayhem for teams on corners and balls coming in from the wings. While Strawn brings height, senior Berry brings speed. Berry’s strength is undoubtedly her quickness (she was a high school state champion in track), which helped her to score 2 game winning goals last season. Berry hasn’t showed much in preseason or exhibition but without a doubt will be looked upon offensively but also as a leader. Finally, junior Bri Pugh put away 2 goals last season with 2 assists and like Berry, she will be looked upon for speed up top. Still, the returning forwards will face pressure from freshman Ashlee Schulz who saw significant time during exhibition and preseason games.
The midfield will also help push Oregon’s offensive attack and will likely be held down by sophomores Maryn Beutler and Kira Wagoner. Both Beutler and Wagoner put away 2 goals during exhibition and 1 goal during the season. While Beutler exhibits many strengths in the midfield, her greatest skill may be her inability to back down. Last year, she led the team in fouls with 5 and maintained the midfield well enough to earn the second most minutes of any Oregon freshman. While scrappiness isn’t necessarily an indicator of success, the midfield is a constant battle and Wagoner proved also unafraid of confrontation with 3 yellow cards. If Mertz wants an offensive spark, she’ll likely be trying to get these two more involved up top rather than just having them battle and serve the ball from the middle.
Defensively, Oregon will be held down by returning goalkeeper Abby Steele. Steele closed out last season with 78 saves and was sixth in the Pac-12 for save percentage (.796), making her the second best in UO school history.
While Oregon has many tools, they will be competing in arguably the toughest league for women’s soccer. Last season, five Pac-12 teams saw action in the NCAA tournament, making it unsurprising that Oregon has the 16th toughest schedule in the nation. The Ducks finished 3-7-1 in the conference last year and while the competition they face make it an uphill battle, if they have any time to turn it around, this season may be the one.
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