Oregon State
UC Irvine
Beavers Set to Open Season Thursday
August 18, 2026 | Men's Soccer
THE GAMES: The No. 19 Oregon State men's soccer team opens its 2026 season this week. The Beavers will head to UC Irvine on Thursday and Cal State Fullerton on Sunday.
FOLLOW ALONG: Both of this week's contests will air live on ESPN+. Live stats will be available at OSUBeavers.com.
UP NEXT: The Beavers will play their home-opener August 30 when Washington visits Lorenz Field. That match will mark Oregon State's only home match in its first seven games.
Quick Hitters:
- This will mark the first year since 2010 that Oregon State has opened the season on the road.
- The Beavers open the season ranked No. 19 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings
- Oregon State was picked to finish first in the Pac-12 Preseason poll.
- Jacob Zapien, Wyatt Borso and Aidan Marquez were named to the Pac-12 Impact List
- Oregon State's squad features 16 newcomers this season.
- Fourteen Beavers have been selected in the last nine MLS SuperDrafts, including seven selections over the last three years.
- Oregon State will play just seven home games during the 2026 campaign.
- This season will mark the return of Oregon State to the Pac-12 conference. As part of a the Pac-12 - Big West soccer partnership, Cal Baptist, Cal Poly, UC Riverside and UC San Diego will join Oregon State, Gonzaga and San Diego State in the Pac-12 for men's soccer. The Beavers will also play three "Big West Crossover" matches as part of this arrangement, facing Sacramento State, Cal State Bakersfield and Utah Valley.
- The Beavers have made six-straight NCAA Tournaments
The Staff:
- Jarred Brookins took over as Wicks-Street Oregon State head men's soccer coach prior to the 2025 season, leading the team to the Tournament in his first campaign. Brookins served as an assistant for the Beavers during the 2023-24 seasons, helping the team to two of the most successful campaigns in program history, including the team's first ever College Cup run in his debut season with the squad.
- Prior to Oregon State, Brookins also served as an assistant at Davidson and Mercer.
- Judy and Jim Street made a leadership gift to the OSU Foundation in November that created a permanent endowment for the Oregon State Wicks-Street Head Men's Soccer Coach.
- Matt Bersano joined the Oregon State staff prior to the 2025 season, following a nine-year professional career - primarily in MLS. Bersano played goalkeeper at Oregon State from 2011-14.
- Michael Behonick is in his first season with the Beavers, and brings a wealth of experience. Most recently he served as head coach of Western Oregon and has also been an assistant coach at Penn State and Virginia.
- Oscar Zepeda is in his first season Director of Operations.
The Matchup:
- Oregon State is 3-4-1 all-time against UC Irvine
- The Beavers defeated the Anteaters 2-1 in Corvallis in 2024.
- OSU has not made a trip to Irvine since 1999.
- Oregon State is 1-5-0 all-time against Cal State Fullerton
- The Beavers' lone win over the Titans came last season - all five of the prior contests were played prior to 2000.
