CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State women’s soccer team will take their 3-0 record to Southern California Thursday, when they play the Titans from Cal State Fullerton. The Beavers ranked 21st in the nation by SoccerAmerica and No. 23 by NSCAA/SoccerTimes have trailed an opponent for a total of just 63+ minutes this season and have surrendered a single goal.
Head Coach Linus Rhode’s crew enters the Fullerton contest having not played a match outside the state of Oregon all season, claiming victories over UAB at home and road contests with Portland and Portland State.
“Cal State Fullerton is going to be a tough opponent for us,” explained Rhode. “They are going to be a team that is very organized defensively, so we are going to have to take care of that but at the same time play our game when it comes to the offensive side of things.”
Scouting the Opponent Cal State Fullerton enters the contest with a 1-3 record, having won their first match of the year over Michigan State last weekend. Previously, the Titans dropped match-ups with USC (3-2), Loyola Marymount (2-1), and Michigan (2-1).
CSF is an evenly balanced squad with 15 of the 33 members listed as underclassmen. Junior Katie Pulliman leads the Titans in goal with her six saves against the Spartans and 20 all-together.
Nationally Ranked For the first time in 2012 Oregon State has cracked the NSCAA’s Top-25 list as the Beavers were selected 23rd in the nation in the week two poll. OSU had received 29 votes after the first week of play but is able to secure a spot as one of the 25-best teams in the nation, just a week later. The Beavers are also listed as the No. 23 school in the country in the SoccerTimes poll and as high as 21by SoccerAmerica.
Oregon State is no stranger to the NSCAA national rankings as it started the 2011 season at #19 and rose to as high as 17th at one point last year. Just ahead of OSU at #22 is Florida (1-1-1) and Tennessee (4-0-0), who is #21. The Portland Pilots, who the ‘Beavs bested at Merlo Field last week are 20th, with a record of 2-1-0.
Climbing up the Ladder Entering Friday’s match Linus Rhode has 52 victories as head coach of the OSU women’s soccer program. His current win total puts him just two behind Tom Rowney who coached the Beavers from 1992-97 and took them to their first NCAA Tournament appearance. With three more wins, Rhode will own sole possession of second place on the all-time program wins list, 25 behind leader Steve Fennah (1998-2007).
In Rare Company With their win over the PSU Vikings, Oregon State has now started a season 3-0 for the second time in three seasons and for the fourth time in program history. In 2010, OSU went 5-0 to begin the year. The Beavers also started the 2004 and 1995 campaigns with five straight wins.
Richardson Playing in Japan OSU junior forward Jenna Richardson has wrapped up competition at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Japan. The Surrey, B.C. native started all-three matches for Team Canada, scoring one goal in the team’s second contest vs. Norway.
Richardson will trade in her No. 11 red and white jersey for her customary No. 3 Orange and Black sweater. She is expected back on the pitch at Paul Lorenz Field sometime in early September.
Match Info Who: Oregon State vs. Cal State Fullerton When: Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 @7 p.m. Where: Titan Stadium – Fullerton, Calif. Live Stats:http://livestats.prestosports.com/csufullerton/
Support Oregon State University Athletics by making your tax deductible donation to the Beaver Athletic Student Fund. For more information follow this Varsity O Facebook Page for upcoming Alumni events. Follow Oregon State Athletics On YouTube.
