SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - Nico Nee needed just 81 seconds to write the story of Saturday's match, propelling Oregon St. to a thrilling 5-3 victory over Seattle U before 1,847 fans at Championship Field. Nee's early strike, assisted by Tim Hoffman and Andrew De Gannes, set the tone for what became an action-packed afternoon of soccer, with the Beavers ultimately proving too potent for the Redhawks.
The early breakthrough by Nee forced Seattle U to regroup tactically, but the Redhawks struggled to mount a sustained response. Oregon St. continued to press, and their second goal arrived at the 46th minute through De Gannes, who capitalized on a swift counterattack. The Beavers made it 3-0 just 59 seconds later when Arnau Farnos finished a beautifully weighted through ball from John Nicolson, leaving Seattle U reeling.
Seattle U showed signs of life in the 62nd minute when Andre Philibbosian scored his first goal of the season, but Oregon St. responded just 11 minutes later with Fran Cortijo's fifth goal of the campaign, restoring their three-goal advantage. The Redhawks refused to give up, and Alex Notzka pulled one back in the 80th minute with a well-taken strike. However, Oregon St. sealed the win with two late goals through Diego Rodriguez and a Seattle U defensive error that allowed Patrick Kearney to score.
The statistical ledger reveals a tale of two teams with different approaches. Oregon St. outshot Seattle U 15-9 overall and held a commanding 10-4 advantage in shots on target, with five of their shots finding the back of the net. Seattle U, meanwhile, managed five corner kicks to Oregon St.'s three, but failed to capitalize on their set-piece opportunities. The Beavers' efficiency in front of goal was the decisive factor, as they converted five of their 15 shot attempts.
The victory represents a significant boost for Oregon St. (8-3-2, 4-0-2 in conference), who have now won two consecutive matches and sit near the top of the conference standings. They will look to keep their momentum going when they face Santa Clara next. For Seattle U (3-6-5, 1-3-2 in conference), the loss extends their losing streak to two games and highlights their defensive vulnerabilities. They will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host LMU.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that Oregon St. had been the more clinical team on the day. Nee's early goal had set the tone, and his teammates had responded with a series of well-taken strikes that ultimately proved too much for the Redhawks. For Seattle U, the afternoon was a frustrating one, with their defensive errors proving costly and their attacking play lacking the precision needed to trouble the Beavers' goalkeeper.
The afternoon belonged to Oregon St.βand specifically to Nee, who finished with a goal and two assists. His performance was a microcosm of the Beavers' display, showcasing their ability to create and finish chances with ruthless efficiency. As they look to build on this result, Oregon St. will be confident in their ability to score goals and win matches.
Key Players:
Nico Nee (Oregon St.) β Scored the opening goal and added two assists, showcasing his clinical finishing and playmaking ability.
Andrew De Gannes (Oregon St.) β Contributed a goal and an assist, demonstrating his threat in transition and ability to create chances.
Alex Notzka (Seattle U) β Scored a well-taken goal in the 80th minute, providing a late glimmer of hope for the Redhawks.
Andre Philibbosian (Seattle U) β Scored a crucial goal in the 62nd minute, giving Seattle U a lifeline and momentarily shifting the momentum in their favor.
Arnau Farnos (Oregon St.) β Scored the third goal for Oregon St., showcasing his finishing ability and the Beavers' attacking potency.
Emily Wilson was not involved in this men's match.