Beavers were close to breaking through
December 9, 1998
Oregon State (7-10-1 overall, 3-6-0 MPSF) won nearly twice as many games as it had the previous season and suffered close setbacks in a number of other games in 1998. The Beavers lost six games by a single goal, including their last three losses.
After the season ended with a 1-0 loss at third-ranked UCLA, OSU head coach Jimmy Conway announced he was resigning after 11 years in the job.
The Beavers started the season quickly, posting a record of 5-3-1 in their first nine games and breaking into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America regional rankings.
It was a strong defense that made OSU an early-season contender for postseason consideration. The Beavers played well in front of goalkeeper Bryan Hill, and he made enough saves to post four straight shutouts and five in his first eight starts.
Meanwhile, OSU's attack looked precise at times but couldn't finish its scoring chances. After that nine-game surge to start the season, the Beavers dropped six of their next seven games and scored just five goals in those seven games.
Conway, who was named head coach when soccer was elevated from a club sport to a varsity sport in 1998, had a record of 97-89-13 in 11 seasons.
Conway, 52, said he would continue as director of coaches and player development for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association. That job is based in Portland, meaning Conway spent many hours in a wearying commute between his home there and the OSU job in Corvallis.
"Thats mostly it," Conway said of his reasons for stepping down. "My family is happy with where we live and my son is happy at Jesuit (High School). If I moved, itd be on my own, and I didnt want to do that."
Conway had seven winning seasons at OSU and was named the MPSFs Mountain Division Coach of the Year in 1995.
"Coach Conway gave 11 years of service to OSU," OSU athletic director Mitch Barnhart said. "He brought the program from its infancy, and for that, Im appreciative and I wish him well in his future endeavors."
As Conway began OSUs varsity program, the Beavers played in the Northwest Colleges Soccer Conference and their schedule was mostly a regional one, including many games against local small colleges. The Beavers now play in the MPSF, one of the nations toughest soccer conferences, against nationally-ranked schools such as UCLA, Washington, Stanford and Cal State-Fullerton.
Oregon State also made a dramatic improvement in facilities during Conways tenure. Paul Lorenz Field at Patrick Wayne Valley Stadium, a facility that opened in 1996, features a state-of-the-art playing surface.
"You just try to develop the program, and I think Ive done that a little bit," Conway said. "Most years, weve had a competitive side.
"Ive really enjoyed being here. Ive worked with some wonderful people who have been very helpful. Id like to wish the program a lot of success. Ive said to the kids a number of times this year, this is the best group weve had."
OSU HEAD COACH JIMMY CONWAY: Jimmy Conway, the only head coach at OSU since soccer became a varsity sport in 1988, wrapped up his 11th season with the Beavers. Conway had a record of 97-89-13 at Oregon State. He was Mountain Division Coach of the Year in 1995 and Northwest Colleges Soccer Conference Coach of the Year in 1990.
BEAVER EARNS ALL-LEAGUE HONORS: OSU midfielder Fredrik Kummernes was named to the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation second team. He was the only Beaver to earn all-league honors.
MOUNTAIN PACIFIC LEADERS: Oregon State among the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation leaders through the end of the regular season:
INDIVIDUAL POINTS Name Gls. Asts. Pts. 11 (tie). Greg Howes 4 9 17 25 (tie). Ben Roth 5 1 11 28 (tie). J.P. Capodanno 3 4 10 28 (tie). Fredrik Kummernes 4 2 10 INDIVIDUAL ASSISTS Name Asts. 2. Greg Howes 9 INDIVIDUAL GOALKEEPING Name GAA 5. Bryan Hill 1.27 INDIVIDUAL SAVES Name Svs. 4. Bryan Hill 60 TEAM SCORING Team Gls. Asts. Pts. 8. Oregon State 26 21 73 TEAM GOALKEEPING Team GAA 7. Oregon State 1.52
NATIONALLY-RANKED OPPONENTS: Oregon State had found chances to knock off some nationally-ranked teams this fall, as the Beavers schedule includes 4 teams ranked in the final National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. OSU lost to No. 2 Washington 6-0 at home on Oct. 30; OSU lost at No. 6 UCLA 1-0 on Nov. 15; OSU lost at No. 16 Stanford 2-0 on Oct. 18; and OSU lost to No. 14 Cal State-Fullerton 4-1 at home on Oct. 23. FREDRIK KUMMERNES: Senior midfielder and 1998 team captain Fredrik Kummernes (Kristiansund, Norway/Atlanten Videregaaende) was a big part of OSU's attack throughout his career ... this season, 10 points on 4 goals, 2 assists, 28 shots ... among MPSF leaders, tied for 28th in scoring ... career, 52 points on 18 goals, 16 assists ... among OSU career leaders, third in points, tied for fourth in goals, tied for first in assists ... tied school record for career assists with 1 assist, 1 goal at Cal State-Sacramento on Nov. 13 ... red card for hand ball at goal mouth on Oct. 30 kept him out of Nov. 1 game vs. Gonzaga ... 1 goal off free kick in 6-0 win over Cal-Santa Barbara on Oct. 11 ... 1 assist on Florida International's own goal in a 1-0 OSU win on Sept. 20 ... goal in 2-1 win over New Mexico on Oct. 4 ... scored OSU's first goal of season on penalty kick in 2-1 loss to San Diego on Sept. 11.
BRYAN HILL: Junior goalkeeper Bryan Hill (Visalia, Calif./Whitney HS) ranked among league leaders ... this season, 1.27 goals-against average, 6 shutouts, 60 saves, 18 goals in 1,275 minutes ... among MPSF leaders, fourth in saves, fifth in goals-against average ... career, 1.85 goals-against average, 10 shutouts, 158 saves, 62 goals in 3,019 minutes ... among OSU career leaders, first in saves, second in shutouts ... 1998 among OSU single-season leaders, second in shutouts, second in saves ... led nation in goals-against average for 3 weeks, from Sept. 21-Oct. 5 ... 3 goals allowed this season were on penalty kicks ... didn't allow a goal in first 510 minutes played this season ... shaken up in 33rd minute and forced to leave game vs. Gonzaga on Nov. 1 ... shut out Cal-Irvine in 1-0 win Oct. 25 ... blanked Cal-Santa Barbara in 6-0 win on Oct. 11 ... entered season-opening 2-1 loss to San Diego on Sept. 11 at halftime, then had 4 straight shutouts vs. Loyola Marymount (3-0 win), Western Washington (3-0 win), Florida International (1-0 win) and Gonzaga (0-0 tie) ... streaks broken on penalty kick in 1-0 loss at Air Force on Oct. 2 ... 15 saves in a 0-0 tie at Gonzaga on Sept. 23 gave him school's career record ... those 15 saves at Gonzaga are also tied for third on list of national single-game leaders this fall ... named MPSF Player of the Week after back-to-back shutouts of Western Washington on Sept. 19 and Florida International on Sept. 20.
J.P. CAPODANNO: Junior forward J.P. Capodanno (Federal Way, Wash./Decatur HS) returned to the Beaver roster after taking last year off from school ... this season, 10 points on 3 goals, 4 assists, 46 shots ... career, 32 points on 12 goals, 8 assists ... among MPSF leaders, tied for 28th in scoring ... among OSU career leaders, eighth in scoring, ninth in assists, tied for ninth in goals ... 1 assist in 3-2 loss to Portland on Nov. 4 ... 1 goal, 1 assist in 6-0 win over Cal-Santa Barbara on Oct. 11 ... 1 assist in 2-1 loss to Cal Poly on Oct. 9 ... 2 goals and 1 assist in 3-0 win over Western Washington on Sept. 19.
GREG HOWES: The arrival of junior midfielder Greg Howes (Tacoma, Wash./Franklin Pierce HS/Pierce CC) added to Oregon State's play in the midfield ... this season, 17 points on 4 goals, 9 assists, 66 shots ... among MPSF leaders, second in assists, tied for 11th in scoring ... among OSU career leaders, tied for seventh in assists ... 1998 among OSU single-season leaders, first in assists ... set school single-season assist record with 2 assists, 1 goal in 4-2 win at Cal State-Sacramento on Nov. 13 ... 1 assist in 2-1 loss to Gonzaga on Nov. 1 ... 1 goal, 2 assists in 6-0 win over Cal-Santa Barbara on Oct. 11 ... 1 goal in 2-1 loss to Cal Poly on Oct. 9 ... 3 assists in 3-0 win over Western Washington on Sept. 19 ... 1 goal in 3-0 win over Loyola Marymount on Sept. 13.
BEN ROTH: Oregon State's scoring punch was helped by freshman midfielder Ben Roth (Oregon City, Ore./Canby HS) ... this season, 11 points on 5 goals, 1 assist, 22 shots ... among MPSF leaders, tied for 25th in scoring ... 4 goals in 5 games from Oct. 23-Nov. 4 ... 1 goal in 3-2 loss to Portland on Nov. 4 ... 1 goal in 2-1 loss to Gonzaga on Nov. 1 ... 1 goal in 1-0 win over Cal-Irvine on Oct. 25 ... 1 goal in 4-1 loss to Cal State-Fullerton on Oct. 23 ... 1 goal in 3-0 win over Western Washington on Sept. 19 ... 1 assist in 3-0 win over Loyola Marymount on Sept. 13.
OSU'S MID-VALLEY PLAYERS: Oregon State didn't have to look far to fill many of its roster spots. There are 5 Beavers who played at the 2 high schools in town, Corvallis and Crescent Valley: junior goalkeeper Jake Smith (Corvallis), sophomore midfielder Daniel Angelo (Crescent Valley), sophomore forward Scott Tedder (Crescent Valley, before transferring to Marist in Eugene), redshirt freshman defender Jake Fenner (Crescent Valley) and freshman midfielder Nick Jensen (Crescent Valley).
OSU CAREER LISTS: Here are where the 1998 Beavers rank on OSU career and season lists at the end of the fall:
CAREER POINTS Name Gls. Asts. Pts. 1. Sean Young (1989-92) 32 11 75 2. Rick Kempf (1989-93) 31 9 71 3. Fredrik Kummernes (1995-present) 18 16 52 4. Jason Lensch (1988-90) 18 11 47 5. Chris Scotti (1989-92) 15 16 46 6. Josh Dodson (1994-1997) 19 7 45 7. Dominick Conti (1993-96) 14 14 42 8. J.P. Capodanno (1995-96, present) 12 8 32 CAREER GOALS Name Gls. 1. Sean Young (1989-92) 32 2. Rick Kempf (1989-91) 31 3. Josh Dodson (1994-1997) 19 4. Jason Lensch (1988-90) 18 (tie) Fredrik Kummernes (1995-present) 18 6. Dominick Conti (1993-96) 16 7. Chris Scotti (1989-92) 15 8. Scott Shone (1993-96) 14 9. Jeff Enquest (1988-89) 12 (tie) J.P. Capodanno (1995-96, present) 12 CAREER ASSISTS Name Asts. 1. Chris Scotti (1989-92) 16 (tie) Fredrik Kummernes (1995-present) 16 3. Scott Shone (1993-96) 12 4. Jason Lensch (1988-90) 11 Itie) Sean Young (1989-92) 11 6. Simon Date (1993-96) 10 7. Rick Kempf (1989-91) 9 (tie) Greg Howes (1998) 9 9. J.P. Capodanno (1995-96, present) 8 10. Josh Dodson (1994-97) 7 SINGLE-SEASON ASSISTS Name Asts. 1. Greg Howes (1998) 9 CAREER GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE (Minimum 1,400 minutes) Name Min. Gls. Avg. 1. James Brazeau (1989) 1,775 22 1.12 2. James Bain (1990-92) 3,005 42 1.26 3. Colin McMillen (1995-present) 2,236 37 1.63 CAREER SHUTOUTS Name ShO 1. James Bain (1990-92) 12 2. Bryan Hill (1996-present) 10 CAREER SAVES (No save records kept until 1993) Name Svs. 1. Bryan Hill (1996-present) 158 2. Olin Glenne (1993-96) 120 3. Colin McMillen (1995-present) 96 SINGLE-SEASON SHUTOUTS Name ShO 1. James Bain (1990) 7 2. Bryan Hill (1998) 6 SINGLE-SEASON SAVES (No save records kept until 1993) Name Svs. 1. Bryan Hill (1997) 90 2. Bryan Hill (1998) 60LORENZ FIELD AT VALLEY STADIUM: Oregon State's soccer facility, Paul Lorenz Field at Patrick Wayne Valley Stadium, provides soccer enthusiasts with one of the top places to both play and watch the sport on the West Coast.
The main seating section holds approximately 1,000 and rises above the midfield line on the west sideline; total capacity is 1,500. A new press box opened this season for media and statistics and film crews behind the main seating section.
OSU is 10-15-2 on Lorenz Field at Valley Stadium, which opened for the 1996 season. The stadium is located a block southeast of Parker Stadium, just south of the intersection of 17th Street and Western Boulevard.
OSU ON TELEVISION: Oregon State had a game this fall televised on Fox Sports Northwest. The 3-2 loss to Portland at home on Nov. 4 was shown by tape delay.
MEN'S SOCCER TICKETS: All tickets for Oregon State men's soccer games are sold on a general admission basis. They are priced at $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens age 62 and over and students high school age and under. OSU students are admitted free with an all-sports pass or for $1 with their OSU student identification card.
Local Bi-Mart stores have coupons good for 2 admissions for the price of 1 for OSU men's soccer games.
Men's soccer is also part of the OSU 7-Sport Pass, which is good for general admission seating at all home contests in men's and women's soccer, volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, women's basketball and baseball. The 7-sport pass is $130 for a family pass that admits 2 adults and 2 children; $80 for an adult pass; and $60 for a pass for senior citizens or students through high school.
Members of the Junior Benny Beaver Club are admitted free to all men's soccer games by showing their club membership card.
OSU SPORTS INFORMATION: More information on Oregon State men's soccer, interview requests, photographs and game credentials can be obtained by calling Kip Carlson in the Oregon State University Sports Information Office at (541) 737-7472. For interviews, please call at least 24 hours in advance. For game credentials, please call early because press box space is limited.
