CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State men’s soccer dropped its first round matchup against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs on Thursday, falling 1-0 at Paul Lorenz Field. Ellis Spikner finished with a team-high two shots (one on goal) in 54 minutes off the bench as OSU finished the game with six shots total, one of which ended on target. In net, Gandhi Cruz made two saves as the Beavers held 54% of the game’s total possession. Sergi Solans’ lone shot on target came just 17 minutes into the game after a run between two GWU defenders, but his attempt to the far post was saved by a sliding goalkeeper and cleared. Early in the second half, Nicklas Lund played a fantastic ball over the top for Enzo Newman, who laid it off for Spikner, but the Benton Harber, Mich., native put his shot just high in the 60th minute. Oregon State appeared to have found its best scoring opportunity in the 71st minute after Spikner went down in the box, but a video review called the penalty off and sent the ball out for a goal kick; Gardner-Webb scored the game’s lone goal less than one minute later. Thursday’s loss officially concludes the Beavers’ 2024 season, finishing the second campaign under Head Coach Greg Dalby with a 10-5-3 record and second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in as many years. OUR MISSION:Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
