The Oregon State University men’s soccer team continued a hot start to their new season with a close 2-1 win over the University of Washington at home on Sunday.
“It’s a nice feeling, gotta love getting the win in front of the home crowd,” goalie John Nicolson said after the game.
OSU, fresh off their season opener win 3-0 over UC Santa Barbara, remained at Paul Lorenz Field for their 63rd all time matchup against UW.
The Beavers jumped out to a quick command, as before the seven minute mark Fran Cortijo, off an assist from Iker Garcia, shot a low goal to give the Beavs a 1-0 lead.
The rest of the first half went back and forth, with both teams showing great play on their back-half defense. The Beavers saw two saves and Nicolson contributed a high block.
Right before halftime, the near 40-minute scoreless run was snapped off of Garcia’s second assist of the game, as Paul Fecteau shot a low goal to extend the lead 2-0, Beavs, at the half.
The two teams also headed into the half with a fair amount of fouls, 13 in total, with the Beavs contributing eight of those. This is one more than the seven fouls the Beavers committed in their season opener.
“We could definitely clean (the fouls) up,” defender Andrew De Gannes said. “Just clean it up from our defenders around the arc, and we can play smoother ball.”
The Huskies came out of the gates swinging, and less than six minutes into the second half, Richie Aman took a long drive to the goal and put up the first points on the day for UW, cutting the score 2-1.
OSU would become more aggressive with their offensive attack to start the half, with three shots in the first 15 minutes.
Soon, both teams would begin to raise their aggressive offensive looks. Both teams sat at double digit shots at the 74 minute mark, yet the score remained the same.
With less than three minutes to go in the match, Lucas Fernadez-Kim slid to block the last shot attempt for the Huskies. The Beavers ran out the clock and called the game, 2-1.
“I think we could’ve played stronger in the middle but (that’s) a part of growing and getting better as the year (goes on),” Nicolson said.
“We got the job done and now onto the next,” added Gannes.
The Beavers will head on the road next to North Bend, Indiana, to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday.
