OSU Soccer Teams Open This Week With Exhibitions, First Games Under New Lights

Salem-News.com Sports

CORVALLIS - The Oregon State men’s and women’s soccer teams will make their 2006 debuts this week, and they’ll be playing under the newly installed lights at Lorenz Field at Valley Stadium.

The OSU men face Simon Fraser on Tuesday (Aug. 15th) and Trinity Western on Friday (Aug. 18th). Both matches are at 8 PM.

The OSU women host Trinity Western on Saturday (Aug. 19th) at 7:00 PM It’s the first time ever that Lorenz Field has hosted night games.

The regular season begins the following weekend for both squads.

OSU’s men hope to make it back to the NCAA Tournament for a third time in five years. After making the tournament in 2002 and 2003, the Beavers believe they have the talent to make a return in 2006. Nine starters and 17 letterwinners are back, including senior forward Robbie Findley (Phoenix, Ariz./Shadown Mountain HS), a three-time All-Pac-10 selection who ranks fourth all-time in goals at OSU with 22.

The OSU women, like the men, have designs on a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

It has been more than a decade since the Beavers last appeared in the tournament, but they believe this year’s team has what it takes.

Nine starters and 13 letterwinners are back, including junior forward Jodie Taylor (Merseyside, England), who is already fourth all-time in goals at OSU with 25.

The Beaver men have their season and home opener on Friday, August 25th, against UC Riverside in the OSU Diadora Classic, while the OSU women open 2006 at the Washington State Classic on Aug. 25th-27th.

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