Gonzaga University
Oregon St
Bulldogs Drop 6-0 Decision
9/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2004
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University scored four second-half goals, including two within a 3:29 spurt, to blank Gonzaga University 6-0 in a non-conference men's soccer match Wednesday at Paul Lorenz Field.
The loss snapped a two-match winning streak for the Bulldogs (2-3-0) and gave the Beavers (2-4-0) their third straight victory in the series they now lead 16-6-2.
The Beavers held a 21-13 shots advantage with 15 of their shots finding their way on net as redshirt freshman keeper Dade Smith, making his second straight start, was called on for nine saves. The Bulldogs fired 13 shots, but only three on net, as OSU starting keeper Jason Mariner had all three saves before giving way to Matt Fitchett for the final 5:11 of the match.
The loss was the most lopsided defeat for the Bulldogs since a 7-0 setback to the University of Washington in 1994, and was the worst defeat in head coach Einar Thorarinsson's 10 years at the helm. The Bulldogs have lost three 5-0 contests since the 7-0 setback to Washington. The worst defeat in Bulldogs history is an 11-0 whitewashing by Seattle Pacific University in 1985.
For the second straight match the Bulldogs were without senior forward Arni Pjetursson (hamstring) and senior midfielder Mike Herzog (ankle), two of the Bulldogs main weapons. On the positive side, the match did see the return of sophomore defender Steve Owens who had missed the first four matches with a leg injury. He entered the match with 15 minutes to go in the opening half and then played the entire second half.
Carlos Cornejo scored the first OSU goal at 16:34, an unassisted tally from 25 yards. Matt Johnson gave the Beavers a 2-0 halftime lead when he gained control of his corner kick after it deflected off a couple of Gonzaga defenders and put the loose ball past Smith at 38:17.
Brett Gardner gave the Beavers a 3-0 lead, beating Smith 1-on-1 off a lead pass from Matt Bowman. Any thoughts the Bulldogs may have entertained about getting back into the contest disappeared when Robbie Findley scored at 72:34 and Chris Murphy tallied at 76:03 for a 5-0 OSU advantage. Chad Bartlome's goal off a Gonzaga turnover at 84:25 ended the scoring.
Wednesday's match was the first of six straight away from home for the Bulldogs, who return to action Friday at 5 p.m. at Cal Poly in the home opener for the Mustangs.
