Beavers to Close Out Nonconference Action Friday
September 26, 2013 | Men's Soccer
LOOKING AHEAD: Oregon State (6-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 Pac-12) will close out its nonconference slate this week when it takes on Northwest Christian at Paul Lorenz Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG: Live stats will be available at osubeavers.com. You can also follow @OSUBeavers_MSOC and @CoachSimmo for updates on Oregon State men's soccer.
SCOUTING NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN: Northwest Christian is a member of the NAIA's Cascade Collegiate Conference, and is located in Eugene, Ore. Austin Cook, Nick Peloquin and Joshwa Martin have scored the Beacons' three goals this season. Erik Carrazco has played five games this season in goal, conceding 17 goals and making 17 saves. The Beacons are coached by Brett Bentley, who is 8-29 in his three years with Northwest Christian. Friday will mark the first ever matchup between the Beavers and the Beacons.
LAST TIME OUT: The Beavers defeated San Jose State 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. Senior forward Daniel Van Vleet scored the game's only goal on an assist from sophomore Mikhail Doholis. As a team, Oregon State outshot the Spartans 16-9, in a game that featured consistent rain and blustering winds.
KNOCKING-OUT NONCONFERENCE: With a win Friday, the Beavers would close out nonconference action with seven victories, the most an Oregon State team has tallied since the 2002 squad won nine nonconference matches. Oregon State won six non-league games in both 2003 and 2004. The Beavers' all-time record for nonconference wins in a season in which a conference slate was played came in 1994, when Oregon State won 10 nonconference games. The Beavers won 11 games in their inaugural 1988 season, a year in which Oregon State played no conference matches.
PROTECTING THE FORT: Oregon State is looking to set a new school record for consecutive home victories, by tallying their sixth-straight home win to open the year Friday against Northwest Christian. The Beavers matched the current mark of five, which was set over the span of the 1988 and 1989 seasons, with their win over San Jose State on Sunday. The longest home unbeaten streak in Beaver history is 10 games, played over the course of the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
One of the main reasons for the Beavers' home success so far this season has been the play of the defense. Oregon State has allowed just one goal in five home matches this season, while scoring 10.
BEAVERS IN THE PAC: Oregon State enters the week leading the Pac-12 in wins with a record of 6-2-0. No. 5 Washington currently sits at 5-0-2, while No. 2 California is 5-0-1. Junior Khiry Shelton is tied for third in the conference with nine points on four goals and one assist. Senior Josh Smith tops the league in game-winning goals with two.
KEEPING IT FRESH: The Oregon State freshman class has made its presence felt during the opeining month of the season. Devonte Small has started all eight matches so far, tallying one assist to go along with 12 shots. Classmate Ole Sandnes recorded three points on one goal and one assist in his collegiate debut, while Matt Arbogast has one assist in five appearances this season. True freshmen Michael Steele and Brendan Woodfull have tallied five and two appearances, respectively, while redshirt-freshman Zach Striar has made two appearances.
