Malone Scores, Beavers Fall at Wildcats 2-1
October 25, 2015 | Women's Soccer
TUCSON, Ariz. – Freshman Toni Malone notched the first goal of her Oregon State career, but an early lead was not enough for the Beavers, as they fell to Arizona 2-1 Sunday afternoon in Tucson, Ariz.
The Wildcats (11-4-1, 5-3 Pac-12) entered the week just outside the NSCAA Top-25, finishing atop the group of teams listed as “Receiving Votes.”
Freshman Allison Pantuso gave the Beavers (6-7-3, 2-5) their first chance of the game in the 27th-minute, playing a nice one-two combination with sophomore Emma Jones. Jones' final pass was just off target though, and the opportunity ended without a shot.
Malone gave the Beavers a lead in the 32nd minute on the first goal of her Oregon State career. The freshman fired a rocket from distance that took a deflection on the way to the back of the Arizona net. Sophomore goalkeeper Bella Geist followed that up with a diving save in the 42nd minute to keep OSU ahead going into the break.
The Wildcats would respond early in the second half, scoring a pair by the 55th minute to go ahead 2-1.
Geist made another impressive stop in the 58th, palming away a shot destined for the top corner.
Oregon State pressed forward in the final 10 minutes, looking to level the score by repeatedly whipping balls into the box. Jones came close to recording an equalizer in the 87th minute, forcing a save with a shot from distance. The Beavers were unable to muster another chance after that, as Arizona took the one-goal win.
Geist finished the match with seven saves, as she continues her ascent up the Beavers' all-time list.
The Beavers will return home for their final three matches of 2015, beginning Friday when they host Washington. Oregon State will follow that up by taking on Washington State on Sunday, and hosting Oregon to end the year.
