Oct. 7, 2011
CORVALLIS, Ore. -
Sophomore Miles Byass (Highland, Calif.), freshman Tyler Smith (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and sophomore Casey Meuser (Granite Bay, Calif.) each scored a goal to lift the No. 18 San Diego State men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Oregon State Friday night in Corvallis, Ore. The Aztecs improved to 8-1-2 overall, matching their best start to a season since 1988 (9-1-1), and 3-0 in the Pac-12 Conference, tying its best league start (2007) since it joined the conference in 2005.
Additionally, SDSU stretched its unbeaten streak to eight matches (7-0-1), its longest since 2007 (7-0-1). The last time a San Diego State team had a longer unbeaten streak in a season was 2005 (7-0-2).
Byass got the Aztecs, who are nationally ranked in all five polls, including a high of 18th by Soccer America, on the scoreboard just 1 minute, 11 seconds into the game when he stole the ball at midfield and beat Beaver (3-6-1, 1-1 Pac-12) goalkeeper Steve Spangler from 20 yards out. It was his fifth goal of the year.
It ended up being the only goal in the first half, as SDSU had a 9-4 advantage in shots and all three corner kicks.
OSU answered early in the second half as Roberto Farfan finished off a scramble at the top of the box in the 54th minute.
It didn't take San Diego State long to respond as it took advantage of its second corner kick in less than a minute at the 57:51 mark. Byass sent in a swinging ball to senior Daniel Steres (Calabasas, Calif.), who, similar to Sunday in the Aztecs' game-winning goal against California, beat the defenders to ball and headed it back to the far post. Smith then slipped the ball past Spangler for this third goal of the season.
SDSU added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute when Meuser put home a shot into the near post for his first career collegiate goal. Redshirt junior Chance Marden (Fremont, Calif.) and freshman Evyn Hewett (La Palma, Calif.) each earned assists on the play.
Byass had four shots to lead San Diego State, while junior Jose Altamirano (San Diego/Southwest HS) added three attempts. Redshirt senior Justin Davies (San Diego/Brooks School (Mass.)) and Meuser each had two shots.
Redshirt sophomore Blake Hylen (San Diego/Torrey Pines HS) played all 90 minutes and made five saves to improve to 7-1-2 on the season.
The Aztecs continue their stay in the Pacific Northwest with a game at Washington on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast live on GoHuskies.com.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sophomore Casey Meuser earned Man of the Match honors for his play in SDSU's 3-1 win in Corvallis. The Granite Bay, Calif., native scored the team's final goal in the 83rd minute and tied his career high with two shots. Meuser also kept the Beavers to many long range shots from the backline. San Diego State has now outscored its opposition, 18-4, over its eight-game unbeaten streak.
No. 18 San Diego State 3, Oregon State 1
San Diego State (8-1-2, 3-0 Pac-12) 1 2 -- 3
Oregon State (3-6-1, 1-1 Pac-12) 0 1 -- 1
Scoring Summary
1, SDSU - Miles Byass (4) (unassisted), 1:11
2, OSU - Roberto Farfan (2) (Emery Welshman), 53:02
3, SDSU - Tyler Smith (3) (Miles Byass (5), Daniel Steres (3)), 57:51
4, SDSU - Casey Meuser (1) (Chance Marden (2), Evyn Hewett (1)), 82:10