Portland women’s team got a much-needed boost from World Cup veterans Stephanie Lopez and Sophie Schmidt and rolled past Oregon, 4-0, on the road Friday night.
Lopez, a starting defender for the U.S. national team, made her 2007 debut for the Pilots and recorded an assist, while Schmidt scored two goals in her first appearance as a forward at the collegiate level.
Schmidt, a defender/holding midfielder throughout her career with the Canadian national team, came off the bench late in the first half and played up top, where the Pilots have struggled offensively since the loss of sisters Rachael and Megan Rapinoe to season-ending knee injuries.
Schmidt recorded two second half goals, one off of a corner kick taken by Lopez, and looked very comfortable in her new position.
“It was like when a coach lets a goalkeeper play the field,” Schmidt joked, regarding Portland coach Garrett Smith‘s decision to play her at forward. “I was so excited because I haven’t played up there since I was a little kid.”
Senior Angie Woznuk scored the first goal for Portland (8-3-0) in the 20th minute. Sophomore Janelle Jacka capped the scoring in the 89th minute.
The Pilots will now get a full week off before opening West Coast Conference play by hosting Gonzaga on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.