Oregon State’s men’s soccer continued their perfect start to 2024 West Coast Conference league play, dispatching the Gonzaga Bulldogs 4-2 on the back of an Arnau Farnos first-half hat trick and a record-breaking display from junior Fabian Straudi.
Head coach Greg Dalby said about Straudi’s record-breaking display, “I’m just happy he’s playing well, he’s confident, he’s a handful, and he’s put together a really good season.”
Just like their last home game, the Beavers were on the front foot early, taking only 6 minutes to break down the Gonzaga defense, with Farnos bringing down a chipped pass from midfielder Tomas Bedouret, and clipping it past Zags goalkeeper Chema Preciado.
The Beavs would double their lead about 20 minutes later, with Straudi cutting the ball across the six-yard box, where Farnos tapped the ball into an empty net.
With his assist, Stradi broke the OSU men’s soccer record for the longest points streak in program history, notching a goal or an assist in eight straight matches, which sits him alone at the top in Beavers history.
Gonzaga would halve the deficit, with defender Hudson Brunk deflecting a beautiful free kick past Beavs keeper Gandhi Cruz, pulling the Bulldogs within one as 10 minutes remained until halftime.
The one-goal game wouldn’t last long, as with less than a minute left, Ellis Spikner saw his point-blank strike blocked by a Bulldogs arm. After a lengthy review, a penalty was awarded to the Beavers for a handball.
Farnos stepped up to take it and crown his hat trick, but after missing his first, Farnos was able to bundle the rebound into the back of the net, scoring a second-straight home hat trick for the Beavers after Sergi Solans scored three two weeks ago against Pacific.
The Beavers went into the halftime break flying and would start the second. They ended the first, adding a fourth goal thanks to a long-range shot from Argentinian junior Tomas Bedouret.
Bedouret collected the ball about 25 yards from goal and fired the ball straight into the top corner, with Beaver faithful in the stands erupting.
Following Bedouret’s goal, the Beavers had to weather the storm, conceding a majority of the possession and chances to Gonzaga.
With a little over 3 minutes to play, Gonzaga’s Geremi Onentia unleashed a brilliant curling shot, picking out the top corner and beating Cruz, cutting the Beavers’ lead to 4-2.
Despite the goal by Onentia, Beavers would see the game out, resulting in 4-2 winners.
Men’s soccer has not only enjoyed an undefeated league campaign but has support behind them, with both league home games ending in sell-outs.
Dalby thanked the crowd, saying, “Thank you to Beaver nation, amazing crowd. Our players love playing in front of a big crowd, it’s a big part of our program.”
Post-match, head coach Greg Dalby explained how the team’s extended break from play, having nine days between games, was very beneficial for his group.
“We got to rest and we got to train a lot, which was really important for our guys.” Dalby added, “We actually felt like we were really well prepared for this match.”
The Beavers travel south to take on the University of San Diego next Saturday Oct. 26, as both sit on top of the standings before a three-game home stand.
