Azul Holds Own But Falls To Emerald City

Looking to get above .500 after recent road woes, women’s soccer team Eugene Metro Fútbol Club Azul ran into an opponent that instead made more than just the sweltering Eugene heat difficult to bear. Seattle-based Emerald City Football Club looked to be a step above from the beginning, as they scored twice in the first 17 minutes to force the home team to play catch-up. Azul managed to hold its own, scoring once before halftime on a corner-kick, but ultimately couldn’t get the elusive tying goal and spelled defeat, 2-1.  Continue reading 

Ultimate Teams Shine At Nationals

Track and Ducks football make a lot of noise, but they aren’t the only sports getting national recognition these days. Lesser-known, but ever-growing in popularity, Ultimate Frisbee has carved out a niche. Fugue, the UO women’s Ultimate Frisbee team, won nationals at the USA Ultimate College Championships in May, while the men’s team, Ego, entered nationals the top-ranked team but was eliminated in the semifinals.  Continue reading 

Tough Road Ahead for EMFC Azul

After an opening win against the Bend Timbers at home, the EMFC Azul head onto the road for a collection of games head coach Jürgen Ruckaberle isn’t taking lightly. The team faced Bend on Tuesday, June 11. Azul won 2-1, and a few changes were in store. Italian midfielder Eleonora Petralia made her debut in return from injury, as did UO’s Achijah Berry.  Continue reading 

Mastrovincenzo Shines For Victorious Azul

The Eugene Metro Football Club (EMFC) Azul took on and defeated the Bend Timbers by a score of 4-1 in front of 700 patrons packed in bleachers above the South Eugene High School soccer field. In this season-opening game, fans and head coach Jürgen Ruckaberle got their first peek of Gaia Mastrovincenzo, a touted forward and midfielder from the prestigious Serie A’s Riviera di Romagna in Italy, who stood out in leading her new team to victory. Continue reading 

The World’s Game

Soccer on the rise in Lane County

Some might say that running is Eugene’s claim to fame, but the art of running while kicking a soccer ball has legions of fans in this town. Known as the world’s game, the sport has taken center stage in the states, particularly in the Northwest. It has grown so big in Eugene that some of Italy’s best female players have hopped on a plane to join in on the fun, while more and more of the city’s youth are getting into the game. And, if that isn’t enough, the possibility of Civic Stadium turning into a soccer field only adds to the buzz.   Continue reading 

Flat Track Town USA

The second annual Big O international roller derby tournament rolls into Eugene

It was bound to happen: A Eugene spoof of the zeitgeisty show Portlandia, called, of course, Eugenia. The viral video lays down the same beat-heavy opening music as its Portland inspiration with “Eugenia” spelled out in an identical gritty typeface in front of a city view of Spencer Butte, followed by downtown shots of the federal building, Voodoo Doughnuts, the bus station, Cowfish and finally City Hall. Continue reading 

Winter Bicycles

The name might be “Winter Bicycles,” but that’s probably because “Clean, Beautiful Bikes Customized for Absolutely Anything” is too clunky and long. Eric Estlund has been building custom bikes in the Eugene-Springfield area for six years, and he’s created everything from a knife-sharpening bike to bikes for commuting in the Chicago winter to bikes designed for riders with physical disabilities.  Continue reading 

Crew’s Control

Rowing makes waves nationally - and at Dexter Lake

As the final bell rings at South Eugene High School, 40 girls trade their books for oars as they head to Dexter Lake, where they practice four days a week. Some members of the South Eugene Rowing Club have collegiate crew scholarships to look forward to, but for now, hard work into the early evening on this vast lake is solely in preparation for their third-to-last regatta of the spring season. Continue reading