Beavers Kickoff Season with Denver and Air Force

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University men's soccer team is set to open its season this week with evening matchups against Denver on Friday and Air Force on Monday. Both games are slated for 7 p.m. starts. Tickets are available for purchase ranging from $4-$6. 

Last Season
The Beavs went 9-5 (6-4 Pac-12) last season, playing during the 2021 spring semester due to the COVID19 pandemic. From Feb. 3 to Mar. 6, Oregon State went on a six-match win-streak, posting shutouts of Eastern Oregon, Portland and Gonzaga, downing Washington on the road, and UCLA at home with scores of 2-1 each, before shutting out California, 4-0, at home. OSU earned two more shutouts on the season, both against San Diego State. In postseason action, the Beavs matched up with Virginia Tech in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, falling to the Hokies, 2-1, in overtime. Tyrone Mondi posted OSU's sole goal of the game with less than five minutes left in regulation. 

OSU returns nine of its top starters for the 2021 season. Sofiane Djeffal, the Beavs' second-leading scorer returns after posting six goals, three of which were game-winning. Mouhameth Thiam was second in the assists category, tallying six. Carlos Moliner clocked 1264 minutes played, recording three goals and three assists. With 1239 minutes, Javier Armas recorded two goals, one of which was the game-winner against UCLA on Feb. 27. Adrian Crespo recorded 1251 minutes on the pitch and five assists, while Tyrone Mondi recorded 1250 minutes, five goals, and three assists. With 1193 minutes on the pitch, Gael Gibert scored one of the goals in Oregon State's 5-0 shutout win against San Diego State on Mar. 21. Joel Walker notched five assists on the season and one goal. In goal, Adrian Fernadez clocked 984 minutes, recording 25 saves and four shutouts on the season.

Last Time Against Denver
Oregon State last met Denver on Nov. 20, 2014, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Beavers defeated the Pioneers, 1-0, in Corvallis. Jordan Jones posted a goal at the 16-minute mark with assists from Khiry Shelton and Graham Smith. Matt Bersano notched four saves over the course of the game. 

Scouting Denver
Denver will be opening its season against Oregon State on Thursday. 

Last season Denver went 6-2 (6-2 Summit League) and earned the Summit League regular-season champion title. The Pioneers won twice against Western Illinois with scores of 2-0 (Feb. 18) and 2-1 (Feb. 20), Kansas City with scores of 4-1 (Mar. 18) and 1-0 (Mar. 20), as well as Eastern Illinois with scores of 1-0 (April 10) and 2-1 (April 12). The Pioneers withdrew from the NCAA Tournament due to COVID19 procedures. 

Last Time Against Air Force
OSU shutout Air Force 2-0 in Corvallis on Sept. 15, 2013. Khiry Shelton posted both of the Beavers' goals.

Scouting Air Force
Prior to facing the Beavs, Air Force will open its season at Portland on Aug. 27. 

Last season Air Force posted a record of 6-5-2 (4-4-1 WAC), opening play with a 4-0 shutout at Dixie State. The Falcons hit a rough patch between Feb. 27 and Mar. 16 before snapping their losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Incarnate Word on Mar. 31. Air Force capped regular season play with wins over California Baptist and Houston Baptist. In the WAC quarterfinals, Air Force tied with No. 3 seed San Jose State 2-2, winning 4-3 in penalty kicks. In the semifinals, the Falcons edged past No. 2 seed UTRGV, 1-0, to face No. 1 Grand Canyon in the championship. Air Force shutout GCU 3-0 to earn a run in the NCAA Championship, where they fell to No. 6 seed Seton Hall, 2-1 on May 2.