Oregon State
Cs-Northridge
OSU Misses Opportunities, Loses 2-1 To CSNU In Men's Soccer
September 24, 2000 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 24, 2000
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - - Missed scoring opportunities cost the Oregon State men's soccer team a loss at Cal State-Northridge on Sunday afternoon, as they dropped a 2-1 decision in non-league action.
The Beavers (5-4-0) started the second half with greater intensity after a sluggish first half that saw them fall behind 1-0. OSU tied the game on a Justin Kirk goal four minutes into the second half.
"In the first half, I was upset with our work rate," OSU coach Dana Taylor said. "We looked flat, and that enabled Northridge to play their style and impose their game."
CSNU (4-3-0) took the first half lead with a goal by Nick Pince off a combination of passes by Tony Ortega and William Diaz, who were both credited with assists on the play.
Charles Mitchell gave the Matadors the lead for good with his goal at 75:04 with an assist by Stephen Raynor.
"We switched some things up at halftime," Taylor said. "We came out with some different formations and played them strong. We got a quick goal to make it 1-1, but then we gave up a soft goal from a bad angle."
All four of OSU's losses have been by a margin of one goal. The Beavers have won two games by a single score as well.
The importance of taking advantage of scoring opportunities was brought to light by the fact that OSU was outshot in the first half 10-5, and has been outshot on the season 128-115.
"In the last 10 minutes of the first half, and first 35 of the second half, we had a lot of opportunities to put them away," Taylor said. "We missed two breakaways as well. It was just a lack of finishing on our part. A low work-rate in the first half really hurt us, but I give them credit - they finished their chances. It comes down to the fact that they finished their chances and we didn't finish ours."
Josh Elbaum and James Albert had two shots apiece on the day.
Mark Muleady went the entire game in goal, making seven saves on the afternoon for the Beavers.
OSU begins Pacific-10 Conference play with a contest at rival Washington on Sunday, Oct. 6.
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 2, OREGON STATE 1
Scoring by halves:
Oregon State 0 1 - 1
CSNU 1 1 - 2
Scoring:
CSNU - Nick Pince (Tony Ortega, William Diaz), 30:00
OSU - Justin Kirk (unassisted), 49:51
CSNU - Charles Mitchell (Stephen Raynor), 75:04
Summary:
SHOTS: Oregon State 11, CSNU 15, CORNER KICKS: Oregon State 3, CSNU 4, SAVES: Oregon State 7, CSNU 3, FOULS: Oregon State 13, CSNU 8.
Yellow Cards: none
