Sept. 12, 2003

Box Score

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Gonzaga University's men's soccer team suffered its first defeat in four outings with a 4-2 setback to host Oregon State University in the nightcap of the OSU/Diadora Classic on Friday.

The Bulldogs (3-1) raced to a 2-0 lead on goals by Scott Yuska at 5:05 and Scott Bertram at 11:08, but the Beavers scored four unanswered goals to improve their record to 3-2-0. Yuska's goal came on a free kick, deflecting off the wall and past keeper Peter Billmeyer. Bertram's goal gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead, converting Arni Ingi Pjetursson's shot and deflection.

The Beavers got a goal from Bryan Jordan at 38:08 to cut the halftime margin to 2-1, then scored three second-half goals. Robbie Findley tied the match at 2-2 at 58:13, and a little over a minute later it was Findley again on a header at 59:29 for a 3-2 OSU lead. Alan Gordon got an insurance goal for the Beavers at 69:37 on a header to the far post.

The Bulldogs, bidding for their first 4-0 start since 1997, were outshot 25-17. Gonzaga Kepper Vito Higgins had seven saves to five for OSU keeper Peter Billmeyer, the Defensive MVP of the 2002 Gonzaga/Nike Soccer Classic.

Gonzaga will face the University of Illinois-Chicago at noon Sunday to complete play in the OSU/Diadora Classic. UIC defeated Saint Mary's College, a West Coast Conference foe of Gonzaga, 2-1 in Friday's first match. UIC remained undefeated at 4-0 with the win. OSU will meet Saint Mary's in Sunday's nightcap.