CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State women’s soccer will remain in Corvallis for the team’s next game, welcoming Big Ten opponent Nebraska to Paul Lorenz Field.Oregon State and Nebraska have matched up twice in program history, playing once in Corvallis (2016) and once in Lincoln (2018), and extra time was needed the last time these teams faced off in Corvallis. After OSU leveled the game at one thanks to a goal off a direct free kick in the 53rd, Nebraska scored in the 101st minute to claim the 2-1 victory in double overtime.Tickets to Sunday’s game can be purchased at BeaverTickets.com.Oregon State Beavers vs Nebraska CornhuskersDate: Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024Time: 7 p.m. PTLocation: Paul Lorenz Field – Corvallis, Ore.Watch: ESPN+Live Stats: Stat BroadcastScouting Nebraska:
Nebraska is 2-2 this season and coming off a 5-2 home victory over the Creighton Bluejays. The Cornhuskers have scored in bunches this season, putting away three goals in 13 minutes against Creighton and adding two in less than nine minutes during another victory over Colorado State; all eight of the team’s goals have come from two games. A senior from Gretna, Neb., Sarah Weber has scored six times this season, which ties her for third most in the nation. In net, Cece Villa (three games, 260 minutes played) and Samantha Hauk (two games, 99 minutes played) have combined to make 23 saves.
The Only Matchup:
Only one Beaver has matched up against the Cornhuskers in their career: Interim Head Coach Caroline Kelly. On Aug. 24, 2012, Kelly, then a freshman at Virginia Tech, started and made five saves in Lincoln, playing 96 minutes in a 3-2 overtime win for the Hokies.
Last Time Out:
Oregon State last played on Sunday, hosting Yale at Paul Lorenz Field. After a back-and-forth first half that saw both teams level at zero heading into halftime, the visitors scored in the 49th and 59th minutes to claim the 2-0 victory. OSU created chances, however, as Ava Benedetti had shot while a one-on-one with the ‘keeper that went just wide in the 57th while Valerie Tobias forced a save in the 83rd.
Night Game:
Thursday’s 7 p.m. kickoff is the latest that OSU has started a regular season game in 2024. After starting the season with an afternoon game at Montana, the Beavers and Idaho State Bengals kicked at 6 p.m. local time in Pocatello before another afternoon game against Yale on Sunday.
Shots:
Averaging 12.3 shots per game in 2023, the Beaver offense has shown a commitment to trying to create offense this season. After finishing with six at Montana, the Beavers’ last two games have both finished with shot tallies of 14, which includes a combined eight on target. Led by McKenna Martinez’s 11, three other OSU student-athletes have four or more shots: Katie Godden (5), Valerie Tobias (4) and Carly Carraher (4).
Set Pieces:
The Beavers this season have seen an uptick in set pieces when compared to 2023, starting with the team’s ability to draw fouls. Through three games, OSU is averaging 12.66 fouls drawn per contest, compared to 11.421 last season, which also includes 15 drawn against Yale on Sunday and 14 against Montana.
Corner kick totals are also up, as the team has taken 5.66 per game in 2024 after finishing 2023 with an average of 4.89.
Starting XI:
Godden made her first start of the year on Sunday against Yale, finishing with two shots in 60 minutes played. Including her first two seasons at DePaul, the Surrey, England, native has now started 34 of her 52 collegiate appearances with totals of nine goals and four assists.
Climbing:
Martinez’s spot in the OSU record book continues to change as the senior forward continues to create chances and goals. Entering Thursday’s game against Nebraska, she sits in a tie for fourth place in program history with 28 goals and tied for third with six multi-goal games. Her 227 career shots ranks second while 65 career points ranks seventh and is close to the top-five, behind sixth-place Jenna Richardson (66) and Kela Hinds and Chelsea Buckland who are tied for fourth with 69.
Hard Work:
Three Beavers have played all 270 minutes of game action this season, which includes two outfield players in Mia Erba and Claire Jones. The duo has combined for two shots from deep in the OSU midfield and are joined by goalkeeper Mya Sanchez, who has 14 saves
What’s Next:
Two of the team’s next three matches will be played at home, hitting the road to face Seattle U on Sept. 8, then welcoming Fresno State (Sept. 12) and South Dakota State (Sept. 15) to Corvallis.OUR MISSIONOregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
