Beaver season-opener ends in victory after second-half goal
Sophomore Ellis Spikner celebrates his goal with his teammates in the Beavers’ first game of the season against UC Davis at Paul Lorenz Field on August 25, 2022. They started their season strong with a win.
August 26, 2022
The Oregon State Men’s Soccer team opened the 2022 season with a 2-1 victory over UC Davis on Thursday night at Paul Lorenz Field.
The fifth-ranked Beavers took the lead off an unassisted 39th minute goal from sophomore midfielder Dante Williams. It was a breakthrough consistent with the run of play, as the reigning PAC 12 champions outshot the Aggies 11-3 in the first half.
After trailing 1-0 at the break, UC Davis landed a counterpunch early in the second half. In the 58th minute, redshirt freshman Marcus Garcia found the back of the net to tie the game at one.
But the Beavers were determined to get a result in their season opener. In the 70th minute, junior Gael Gilbert assisted sophomore Ellis Spikner on a goal that put the home side back in front.
Oregon State was able to hold off the Aggies in the final twenty minutes and see out a 2-1 win.
The Beavers outshot UC Davis 18-8, and had seven corners. Junior midfielder Mouhameth Thiam recorded four shots with two on goal, while Ellis Spikner finished with four shots and two on goal. Dante Williams found the net with three shots.
Up next, the Beavers will host Utah Valley on Monday, August 29th in Corvallis at 6 PM.
