Armstrong Goal Not Enough Against Florida International

September 19, 2011

CORVALLIS, Ore.- Junior Julie Armstrong tallied her team-leading fourth goal of the season at 62:53,but it was not enough to fuel a Duck comeback as the University of Oregon (5-3-1) fell to Florida International (3-5), 2-1, at the Oregon State Nike Invitational Sunday morning.

Sunday's test was the last that UO would take before they head into the inaugural Pac-12 season on Sept. 23 against Utah at Pape' Field at 7p.m.

Junior Maddy Mercier got Oregon's first two looks at scoring 10 minutes into the first stanza, but her first was saved by FIU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage and the other was wide.

At 17:16, Mercier set up a shot for redshirt junior Lauren Thompson off the match's first corner kick, but it went wide still leaving the match scoreless.

FIU's Nicole DiPerna sent the Golden Panthers' second shot of the half at freshman goalkeeper Abby Steele at 20:11 and she was able to tally the save, but FIU came right back at Steele off the rebound to go ahead 1-0.

Florida International's Kim Perez looked to add to FIU's mark on the board three minutes later, but the Duck defense was able to block the attempt.

At 25:26, junior Scout Libke took Oregon's second corner of the match and was able to circle around the Golden Panther defense to look to give the Ducks their first goal of the match, but Libke's shot was no good. Libke took another shot at 32:54, but that one was also no good.

Armstrong and Mercier ended the first 45 minutes of play with shots for UO, but FIU took a 1-0 lead into the half.

The Ducks opened up the second half of action by picking up an accidental handball in the box on the opening possession, allowing Florida International to earn a penalty kick. Johanna Volz took the kick for the Golden Panthers and converted it to give FIU a 2-0 advantage.

The match got chippy with the Ducks and Golden Panthers trading fouls before Thompson eventually picked up the match's only yellow card at 54:30.

Following the card, junior Nicole Bakke looked to put UO on the board, but her shot was blocked. Armstrong followed up with the next shot, but Savage denied her.

But Armstrong would not be denied as junior Mo Fitzgerald was given credit for the assist on the Duck goal. The goal gave Armstrong a team-leading 11 points on the season.

Libke took another shot on connecting for Oregon at 67:31, but once again her shot was not close.

Both teams traded shots as the final 45 minutes of action winded down, but Libke, who took UO's final shot of the match, was not able to tie the match up as it was saved by Savage.

Savage was credited with the win with her match-high five saves, while Steele (1-3-1) picked up the loss with four saves.

Libke led both teams with a match-high six shots, but only two were shot on goal.