Oregon State
Michigan
Beavers Headed to Michigan and Michigan State
August 28, 2024 | Men's Soccer
THE GAMES: The No. 19 Oregon State men's soccer team will hit the road this week for matchups at Michigan and Michigan State.
FOLLOW ALONG: Both of the weekend's games will air live on Big Ten Plus.
UP NEXT: Oregon State will return home for three-straight games, beginning Sept. 8 vs. UC Davis. San Diego State will come to Corvallis Sept. 15, and Seattle U will be at Lorenz Sept. 19.
Quick Hitters:
- Oregon State is coming off its first ever appearance in the College Cup, as the Beavers made men's soccer's final four in 2023.
- Oregon State is ranked No. 19 in this week's United Soccer Coaches' Poll, and No. 5 in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll. OSU entered the season ranked No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches poll, its highest ever preseason ranking.
- The Beavers ended the 2023 season ranked No. 4 in the nation, the highest season-ending ranking in program history
- Oregon State was picked first in the WCC Preseason Coaches Poll, taking four of a possible eight first-place votes. Fran Cortijo, Arnau Farnos, Ellis Spikner and Dante Williams all made the WCC Preseason Team.
- Spikner was named WCC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
- The Beaver men's soccer squad is one of 10 OSU programs slated to compete in the West Coast Conference beginning in the fall of 2024 as part of the two-year conference affiliation agreement.
- Oregon State's squad features 13 newcomers this season.
- Alejandro Silva has been named to the United Soccer Coaches' Midfielders to Watch List.
- Ten Beavers have been selected in the last seven MLS SuperDrafts, including three in the 2024 draft. Logan Farrington highlighted the trio of OSU players selected this winter, going at No. 3 overall to FC Dallas.
- Oregon State returns eight players who started their lone College Cup game last season, and 11 of the 15 players who played in the contest.
- Fran Cortijo needs two assists to move into a tie for 10th on Oregon State's career list.
- Oregon State's players represent seven different countries (United States, Spain, Uganda, Argentina, Germany, Italy and Trinidad and Tobago) and four different continents (North America, South America, Europe and Africa).
- The Beavers were an impressive 7-2-2 in true road games last season.
- Greg Dalby became the second coach in Oregon State history to lead the team to the postseason in his first season in charge. His 11 victories are also tied for the most wins by an OSU head coach in his debut season.
- A total of 10 different Oregon State players found the net last season, with seven of them returning for the 2024 campaign, led by Dante Williams who netted seven goals in 2023.
- The Beavers will not have a home game for 17 days after their meeting with UC Irvine in the season-opener. Oregon State will play three road games over that span, before returning home on Sept. 8 to take on UC Davis.
The Matchups:
- Oregon State lost its only ever matchup against Michigan, a 4-0 defeat in 2008. The Beavers were coached by Dana Taylor in that contest, the second coach in program history.
- OSU is 1-2-0 all-time against Michigan State, with the Beavers winning the last game in the series in 2015. Timmy Mueller scored the only goal in that contest.
- The Beavers last visited East Lansing in 2013.
