CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State men’s soccer team out-shot, out-chanced and largely outplayed No. 20 San Diego State, but was unable to convert more than once, falling to the visiting Aztecs (8-1-2, 3-0-0 Pac-12), 3-1, in front of 581 fans at Paul Lorenz Field on Friday night.

The loss moves the Beavers’ record to 3-6-1 on the year and 1-1-0 in conference play.

OSU fired 17 shots, including 13 in the second half, and put six on net in a game that featured a myriad of opportunities for the team to take the lead, but to no avail.

“We had a lot of missed opportunities,” Oregon State head coach Steve Simmons said.  “I don’t know how many times … we got in front of the net and it was either over the top or just wide.  I think we gifted them some soft goals … and that’s the difference.”

Oregon State trailed 1-0 at intermission after an early San Diego State tally in the first half, but knotted things up when Roberto Farfan took a pass from Emery Welshman at the top of the box, spun to his right and took aim with his left foot to launch the ball past the Aztecs’ keeper in the 54th minute.

The goal was Farfan’s second of the season and Welshman’s assist was his third in as many games.

Seconds after Farfan’s mark, Welshman broke free with the ball and sprinted down the middle of the pitch.  As the goalie came out to meet the junior striker, Welshman flicked an arching shot toward the net and almost put Oregon State up 2-1, but an Aztec defender, with his back to midfield, kicked the ball out of play at the goal line to preserve the tie.

Just moments after Welshman’s attempt, Farfan took a corner kick from the far side of the field and guided the ball to Colin Mitchell, who had his quality shot blocked just in front of the goal.

“I think our guys, especially in the second half, did enough to create a lot of chances and score,” Simmons said.  “But you have to put those in the back of the net.  That was a pretty hard result, because I don’t think that was a 3-1 game, but … we have to regroup because we have another big game on Sunday.”

San Diego State took the lead in the 58th minute when Tyler Smith scored off a corner kick for his third goal of the year.  A throw in from the near corner set up the Aztecs’ Casey Meuser for his first tally of the season and sealed the 3-1 final.

Welshman, Farfan and Mitchell combined for 13 shots and five on goal in the match.  All of San Diego State’s six saves came on the Beavers’ 13 second-half shots.

“It’s a matter of just getting a toe on it the right way and have that ball sail in versus sailing over,” Simmons said of the close chances.

Despite the tough result, Oregon State has a quick turnaround against another nationally ranked opponent on Sunday.  The Beavers will play No. 15 UCLA at home on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

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