Beavers can’t capitalize on early chances, fall 3-0 to Arizona 

Missed opportunities highlight the game as Oregon State Women’s Soccer fell to Arizona 3-0. The Beavers (6-9-2 1-7 Pac-12) played a physical game with Arizona(7-8-1 2-6 Pac-12) with a total of 24 fouls between both teams.

“We weren’t able to settle down enough,” head coach Linus Rhode said. “We got into the back and forth match which suited (Arizona).”

Before the game senior defenders Helene Haavik, Greta Espinoza and Mckenzie Redberg as well as senior midfielders Annie Govig and Sabrina Santarossa were honored as it was their last game at Paul Lorenz Field. The players were met on the field by their family members with flowers and the heard thank you’s from head coach Linus Rhode.

Defensively the Beavers were playing a back and forth game with Arizona, pushing the ball to one side of the field and then having it pushed right back. The Arizona offense put up 17 shots with six of them being on goal and got seven corner kicks as opposed to Oregon State’s two. Junior goalkeeper Bella Geist posted three saves in the game.

“We need to step hard toward any offensive players coming at the goal,” said Geist on what the defense needs to improve before their next game.

The Beaver Offense had a few good opportunities early in the match getting behind the defense of Arizona but failed to get one in the back of the net. The Beavers put up seven shots with three of them being on goal throughout the game.

“If we put away a few of our chances in the first half this is a totally different game,” Rhode said.

Almost all of Oregon State’s opportunities to score came off of quick breakaways where the Beavers were able to push the ball up one side and cross it into the box. They got good looks but good play by the Arizona’s sophomore goalkeeper Lainey Burdett kept the Beavers from scoring.

“We were looking to get it forward and past their defense,” said junior midfielder Kayla Latham on the team executed well on their offensive game plan.

The Beaver’s head north this week to play the Washington schools, playing at Washington State Thursday and at University of Washington on Sunday, before The Civil War in Eugene to finish the season. Both of the Washington teams are currently 1-7 in Pac-12 play and Oregon is 2-6.

“We aren’t going to give them opportunities to score,” Geist said.