Aug. 24, 2012

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State men’s soccer team started off the 2012 season with a bang, defeating Sacramento State, 4-0, in non-conference action Friday night at Paul Lorenz Field. The Beavers broke open a scoreless tie in the final seconds of the first half and broke the game wide open in the first minutes of the second.

Coach Simmons Postgame Comments

The first half played fairly evenly, with both the Beavers and Hornets taking turns controlling action. Sacramento State (0-1) saw its best chances in the final minutes of the first half, culminating in its best scoring opportunity late in the 44^th minute on a shot by Nate Nugen that sailed wide.

“I thought they moved the ball on us well in the first half,” OSU head coach Steve Simmons said. “We got casual defending.”

But soon after, as the seconds ticked away in the tug-of-war first half, the momentum shifted back towards the home side. A pair of seniors combined to give the Beavers their first goal of the season and a shot in the arm headed into the intermission.

Alex Penny centered a pass from the right goal line just inside the box to Jake Parker’s waiting foot. His one-touch shot beat keeper Cesar Castillo to make it 1-0.

“That right there, that critical time, really shifted momentum all over. I thought it bailed us out of an average first half,” Simmons said. “We came out and were hungrier in the second half.”

The Beavers looked like they hadn’t eaten in weeks with the way they responded as the second half began. Goals from sophomore Khiry Shelton, freshman Mikhail Doholis and senior Emery Welshman came within seven minutes of each other and less than 12 minutes into the second half.

Shelton padded the lead to 2-0 off a header from Doholis in the 50^th minute. In the 53^rd minute, Doholis netted his first career goal with assists from Roberto Farfan and Welshman. And just four minutes later, Welshman showcased his wheels to get into the scoring act. Sophomore Brenden Anderson launched a head-man pass that Welshman caught up to, leaving the Hornet defense in his wake.

“I told them pregame, there are things that they need to think about, but I didn’t want them overthinking,” Simmons said. “I wanted them to go with their instincts. These athletes are thoroughbreds and they are capable of that type of ‘bam-bam’ scoring succession.”

By the time the dust settled on that frenzy, it was 4-0 and the Beavers had all but secured an opening-night win. The four goal output was the most goals OSU had scored in an opener since 2004, scoring four in a win over Valparaiso. It was also the largest shutout win since a 2009 win over CSU Bakersfield, also winning that game 4-0.

Freshman keeper Matt Bersano earned his first career shutout in his first career game. Eight different Beavers made the score sheet with goals or assists.

The Beavers are back in action Friday when they face No. 11/4 UC Santa Barbara in Spokane, Wash. At 1:00 p.m.