Oregon fought Portland to a scoreless tie, on Sunday, after some defensive breakdowns in Thursday's season-opening win - UO release by: Rob Moseley - EUGENE, Ore. – A comfortable result in Oregon soccer's season opener was achieved despite some uncomfortable moments late in the match. In Sunday's second game of the season, the Ducks didn't get the result they wanted but felt much better about the effort.  The UO women have still yet to allow a goal under first-year coach Tracy Joyner after posting a 0-0 tie Sunday against Portland at Papé Field. The matchup was much more tightly contested than Oregon's four-goal win in Thursday's season opener against Weber State, and the Ducks were up to the challenge against the Pilots.  "I think that it was a fair result for sure, in the way the game flowed," Joyner said. "It would have just been nice to win a game for sure. … (But) I felt like there was huge growth that took place, so I was really happy to see that and really proud of them, because that was a big ask this weekend. And I thought they did a great job in training, and they showed up with a very different mentality."  The Ducks (1-0-1) preserved their shutout in Thursday's opener despite allowing a couple of dangerous chances for Weber State in the second half. On Sunday, Oregon's defense allowed only two shots on goal.  "Better than Thursday, for sure," Joyner said of the defensive effort. "I felt like we were just at a different mentality, a little bit more disciplined, better communication. I think we just battled more physically, in a really good way. So, really proud to see growth from Thursday to Sunday."  Caeley Goldstein was in goal for the Ducks throughout Sunday's match, after starting Thursday's opener and playing into the 85th minute. She agreed that the UO back line took a big step from match one to match two.  "I think it's just spending more time with each other, since it's a new group, and just being able to communicate with each other," Goldstein said. "That's the biggest thing, is just our communication and learning each other and how we play. So the more time we spend together, I think the better we're going to be."  How It Happened: The first four shots of the game came off the feet of Ducks, and they were some of the best offensive chances for either side all night. In the 12th minute, Taylor Bryan — fresh off a two-goal performance Thursday — got behind the defense with the ball at her feet in the box and drew the keeper out of the goal, but her shot went just wide.  Lauren Kenny had two shots in the first 13 minutes after also scoring Thursday. But the Ducks weren't able to get one behind Portland keeper Sophia Hills.  "The first two, three chances we had in the first half, we've got to put those away," Joyner said. "I mean, those were really, really great opportunities. So I know a couple girls are kind of kicking themselves, because it's hard to score goals. It's really, really difficult. We generated really beautiful chances, too."  Shots were 5-4 for Oregon at halftime, and Portland had a 5-3 advantage in the second half. Goldstein had to make a single save in each half for the UO women, thanks to the step forward taken in connection and communication by the back line since Thursday.  Notable: Sophomore midfielder Cloe Chase made her season debut after sitting out the opener following a red card in the 2024 season finale. She played all 90 minutes and registered one shot. … The Ducks are now looking to post three straight shutouts for the first time since 2021. … After dropped the first 16 games in the all-time series with Portland, Oregon is now 2-0-3 in the last five meetings.  Up Next: The Ducks open the OUTRIGGER Soccer Kickoff in Hawai'i by facing Sacramento State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.