The Barometer Online

Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Burton Robbie Findley (10) finished his Oregon State career as the third all-time leading goal scorer for the Beavers.

After a strong start in the preseason, the OSU men's soccer team hit a large road block in its quest for an NCAA tournament berth: Pac-10 teams.

Oregon State (0-9-1 Pac-10, 5-12-2) began the season with high expectations after just barely missing out on the NCAA tournament last fall. The Beavers returned eight of their starters from last year's squad and began their regular season with two wins at home.

OSU ended non-conference play in Omaha, playing to a draw with No. 12 Creighton and defeating Drake. Oregon State managed a 5-2-1 record during its non-conference schedule.

The Beavers had high expectations for the Pac-10 season, but those expectations began to fade away after dropping a 3-1 match to University of Washington.

After the UW game the injury bug bit the Beavers, knocking keeper Packy Deenihan out of action. Without Deenihan, keeper Mike Miller made his first career start against No. 30 San Diego State. The Beavers dropped two close games in California before finally returning home for back-to-back weekends with No. 11 Cal and Stanford.

"It seems every break this season went the other way," coach Dana Taylor said. "That goes for injuries and hitting the post. The other team will hit the post and it will go in, we hit the post and it will not."

With Deenihan still injured, Jason Mariner was in net against the Golden Bears and struggled as the Bears downed OSU, 5-0. Two days later Deenihan returned to goal in a 2-0 loss to Stanford.

Troubles continued for the Beavers as they prepared for their final four games of the season. Prior to the home match against No. 14 UCLA, defender Alex Christensen underwent season ending surgery. The injury was the second straight season-ending injury for Christensen.

The Beavers had their first legitimate chance at a Pac-10 victory against San Diego State, when they went up 1-0 after a goal by forward Robby Christner. But OSU saw its lead dwindle away as they played to a 2-2 draw with the Aztecs.

On the final night of the season the Beavers took to a wet field against Washington. The Beavers held the lead going into the final three minutes of the game, but UW tied the game before scoring an overtime penalty shot goal to win the game.

Continued...

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