PORTLAND — While the rest of her teammates were taking advantage of a bye last weekend to train and rest, Chardonnay Curran was back home with her family on Oahu saying goodbye to her grandmother.
Just days later, Curran helped erase the biggest jinx in program history, scoring the go-ahead goal on a point-blank strike in the 79th minute to lift Oregon to a 2-1 win over Portland Friday night at Merlo Field.
"Honestly, it's been tough," said Curran. "I know she was with me tonight."
Oregon (5-1-1) defeated Portland (4-4) for the first time since the soccer program was restored to the varsity level in 1996.