Oregon State Blanks UCF to Win Portland Nike Invitational
The Beavers head to Wisconsin this week for two weekend games, seeking a 3-0 start.
(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) — Senior forward Khiry Shelton’s second goal in two games gave Oregon State a 1-0 victory over UCF at Lorenz Field on Sunday.
With the victory, the Beavers won the Portland Nike Invitational for the second consecutive season.
“Absolutely a successful weekend,” coach Steve Simmons said. “This was interesting because we didn’t have (starting keeper) Matt Bersano, and when you lose a leader like that, it’s always potentially unsetting.
“But (replacement) Nolan Wirth did a great job and the guys responded well, that was nice to see in the back. Any time you get a shutout you give yourself a chance to win.”
A three-year starter, Bersano sustained a not-believed-to-be serious knee injury in the first half of Friday’s 3-1 win over Evansville. Wirth played the second half on Friday and made two saves on Sunday.
Shelton scored at 26:48 off a feed from Devonte Small, several minutes after UCF defender Leonardo Ayala was red-carded at 23:27 for fouling Shelton to prevent a breakaway. The Knights (0-2-0), who lost 1-0 at Portland on Friday night, played a man down the rest of the game.
“Those guys (like Shelton) who are attackers need to see the ball go in the goal” since the mental approach plays such a big role in finishing, Simmons said. “They need to feel confident.”
OSU didn’t capitalize further on its advantage despite several good chances, but a stout defense and Wirth kept the Knights at bay. It was the first shutout for Wirth, a freshman from Comox, British Columbia.
“Obviously the game turned when they went down a man, but even before that we still were controlling it,” Simmons said.
The Beavers head to Wisconsin this week for two weekend games, seeking a 3-0 start. They face Wisconsin-Milwaukee at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Marquette at 10:00 a.m. Sunday.
Source: Oregon State Athletics
