Coming off a winless September, the OU soccer team will be looking to start October on the right foot this weekend when it takes on Oregon and Texas A&M.

The Sooners (1-9, 0-2) went 0-7 last month, with their most recent loss a 2-1 heartbreaker in double overtime against Texas Tech.

During the current seven-game losing streak, the Sooners have been outscored 20-4 and lost two games in overtime.

The Sooners’ weekend series begins at 7 p.m. Friday when they host Oregon (6-2-1) at John Crain Field.

September treated the Ducks remarkably better, as they went undefeated and have not lost since Aug. 31 — the same day the Sooners last won.

During their unbeaten streak, the Ducks have outscored opponents 15-7 and have also had two games go into overtime — one of which ended in a tie.

During practice this week, the defense has been working on a different approach to help prevent goals.

“We’ve been trying to man-mark more rather than play zone along the box because that’s caused us a lot of goals,” defender Katie Corbitt said.

On the other side of the ball, OU head coach Nicole Nelson has been focusing her offense on finishing their opportunities.

“We need to score goals,” forward Lauren Alkek said. “We need to start finishing all of our opportunities. We’ve worked a lot on that this week and I think we’ll be able to capitalize on that.”

Oregon won the only meeting against the Sooners in 1996, 4-0. Nelson said last weekend was one of the toughest road schedules in the Big 12 and playing at home this weekend against the Ducks is going to be good for the team.

“Playing at home during conference is always nice, even though it is not a conference opponent,” Nelson said. “Being at home allows us to be in our own beds, on our own field with our own fans, and it’s just better all the way around.”

The Sooners will hit the road quickly afterward to take on Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The No. 7 Aggies (8-1-1, 1-0-1) have been dominant this season, outscoring opponents 26-9 in their ten games, including 4 shutouts. They’re only loss of the season came at the hands of No. 2 North Carolina, while their lone tie came against No. 9 Texas.

In the Sooners’ last meeting with A&M, the Aggies came out the victors in a 1-0 battle during the 2007 season.

The first 250 people to Friday’s game against Oregon will receive a free drink in a Sooner Soccer Stadium cup. The game will also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night and will include PA announcements in English and Spanish and former OU running back Jacob Gutierrez will make an appearance prior to game time.