The Barometer Online

Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Peter Strong Ryan Callahan swipes the ball from a Washington defender in OSU's game Oct. 2, 2005.

After a disappointing weekend in southern California, the men's soccer team looks to get back to their winning ways as they step onto Lorenz Field for their Pac-10 home opener against No. 16 California.

Last weekend the Beavers (5-5-1 overall, 0-3 Pac-10) lost to San Diego State and No. 17 UCLA, dropping both games with a 2-1 score. Both games started with goals for the opposition and then goals to tie from OSU, before giving up game winners late in the game. Goal scorers for the Beavers were senior forwards Bryan Jordan and Robbie Findley.

"Playing on the road was hard," midfielder Mason Webb said. "We have a good home record and always have. We want to come out and play hard and get some wins."

The Beavers return to Corvallis after losing three Pac-10 road games. The Beavers step onto the pitch searching for their first conference victory against the Golden Bears.

"It feels good to be home," Webb said. "Even though the weekend didn't go as well as we would like it to go, our team played well Sunday and we are going to be firing on all cylinders."

The Bears (6-3-1 overall, 1-1 Pac-10) are lead by forward Javier Ayla-Hil. Ayla-Hil leads Cal in points, with an assist and is tied for the team lead with three goals. Defender Steve Purdy plays as an attacking defender and is tied with Ayla-Hil for goals scored.

In the goal, red-shirt freshmen Stefan Frei has a 2-2-1 record and a 0.59 goals against average. Frei is being pushed by Justin Myers, who boasts a 4-1 record.

The Golden Bears have had the Beavers' number in recent years. Cal has defeated OSU in four straight games, and 15 times in history. Cal is also the third ranked team in as many weeks that the Beavers will match up against.

"That is what you get playing in the Pac-10," Webb said. "You play against the best. We have competed and we hope to pull out two wins this weekend. But it is no different than playing any other team."

The two-game weekend will wrap up with a Sunday match against the Stanford Cardinal. Stanford (3-4-3 overall, 1-0-1 Pac-10) will be in Corvallis after playing in Seattle. The University of Washington game will be the first game in two weeks for the Cardinal. A match-up with Cal was postponed due to absence of officials.

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