In 2019, the Oregon soccer team is looking to build on its successes of last fall, with reinforcements in the form of the nation's 17th-ranked recruiting class.
But to do so, UO coach Kat Mertz knew she first had to make sure there was a foundation in place. Yes, the Ducks went 9-9-1 in 2018, their best season in a decade. But they also graduated several key players, including prolific scorer Marissa Everett, stout defender Jazmin Jackmon and record-setting goalkeeper Halla Hinriksdottir.
The Ducks couldn't allow that loss of personnel to result in a loss of momentum for the program.