The Oregon State Beavers men’s soccer team improved to 2-0-0 in league play in front of a sold-out Paul Lorenz Field on Friday night.

Highlighted by star striker Sergi Solans bagging his first hat trick with the Beavers, the team controlled the game and defeated Pacific 4-1. 

Head coach Greg Dalby was full of praise for hat trick hero Solans, saying, “I’m really happy for Sergi, well deserved.”  

“No surprise that he’s getting the goals he’s getting,” Dalby added.

Beavers forward Solans continued his red-hot start to the season, bagging a first-half brace, taking advantage of Pacific goalkeeper Joshua Moya, sliding to block a clearance, and deflecting the ball into the back of the Pacific goal. 

This tally would mark Solans’ sixth goal in many games, getting the Beavers on the board early in the fifth minute. 

It would only take five more minutes for the Beavers to double their advantage.

Winger Fabian Straudi slid in a measured through ball to junior Arnau Farnos, who calmly beat Moya at his near post, sending the Beavers two in front in 12 minutes.

The Beavers relentless start to the match would continue despite the early two-goal lead, drawing a foul and a dangerous free kick about 30 yards from goal. 

Straudi clipped the ball into the back post, where Solans would bag his second, getting a toe to the cross and poking the ball over Moya and in, putting the Beavers up 3-0 in 24 minutes.

Straudi’s two assists put him into the Beavers history books, becoming second all-time in longest points streak in school history with either a goal or assist in his last six matches.

His assists tonight ties him with Garin Gregory in 1988 and last season’s star striker Logan Farrington for second all-time. 

With one more game with a point, we will see Straudi tie the record. 

After the Beavers went up 3-0, they relaxed the scoring, allowing Pacific back into the game,  with senior goalkeeper Gandhi Cruz conceding off a shot by Pacific midfielder Ezekiel Padilla with a low driven shot from about 25 yards, making it 3-1 half an hour in. 

After the Tigers pulled one back, the game became chippy. 

Beavers substitute Dante Williams got involved in several hard tackles before Pacific midfielder Jose Maria Barrera was shown a yellow card for an apparent cynical tackle in midfield. 

The Beavers remained steady in the second half, holding the majority of possession, but carving out the better chances, with the best look for either side coming ten minutes after the break, with red-shirt senior Ellis Spikner firing over after a built-up play from the Beavers. 

Oregon State killed the game in the 79th minute, with Solans getting on the end of a perfect ball from Ellis Spikner that trickled into the Pacific net, and Solans completed the hat trick in front of the record crowd. 

The record attendance was rewarded with a brilliant performance from the Beavers. 

“Thanks to all of Beaver Nation for coming out tonight and watching men’s soccer tonight,” Dalby said. 

Up next, the Beavers continue conference play against Saint Mary’s in Moraga, California on Wednesday, October 9th.