Short-Handed Ducks Play #1 Bruins Tough, Fall 3 - 1

Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty ImagesAn Oregon Duck soccer team already decimated by injuries was forced to play with only 10 players for more than 60 minutes against #1-ranked UCLA Thursday night. In the 29th minute Oregon goalkeeper Leah Freeman charged out on a ball toward Oregon’s 18-yard box, collided with a UCLA player and was given a “straight Red” card. The ejection of Freeman left Oregon a player short for the remainder of the game, but the Ducks impressed by playing the Bruins even for the rest of the game, ultimately falling 3 - 1.

The difference in skill between the teams was most pronounced over the first 30 minutes of the game. UCLA had little trouble…