SPOKANE, Wash. – The Oregon State University men’s soccer team opened up the scoring early in the contest against UC Riverside on Sunday at Luger Field on the campus of Gonzaga University, but needed two late goals to claim the second win of the year at 3-2.

“The aggressive mindset to start this game was similar to our prior game,” said head coach Steve Simmons, “with the difference being scoring six minutes in.

“Once again we were statistically dominant with attacking shots and corners. I credit our guys with the solid reaction to this game.”

Freshman Joe Hafferty (Renton, Wash.) became the hero as his goal in the 89th minute was the difference in the game, burying his first career score for the Beavers (2-2) in dramatic fashion for the win.

The true freshman took the ball away from the Highlanders (0-3) on the attacking third, weaved his way through three defenders and found the left slot from the top of the box for the game-winner.

Junior Hassani Dotson (Federal Way, Wash.) opened up the scoring in the fifth minute after classmate Don Tchilao (Chandler, Ariz.) sent a cross over to senior Jordan Jones (Pacific Grove, Calif.), whose subsequent headed pass found its way to Dotson, eventually finding space in the lower left slot.

The Highlanders finally got on the board in the 75th minute after Ricardo Ruiz chipped the ball over redshirt-junior Ryan Vincent (Newberg, Ore.) to put the match square at 1-1.

Senior Jaime Miralles (Vinaròs, Spain) found the back of the net in the 80th minute to give OSU the lead on a set piece from freshman Mitch Hammer (Cave Creek, Ariz.), yet UC Riverside had the quick response ready to go as Edward Benito took a pass from Anthony Lopez to even the match yet again at 2-2 in the 85th minute.

Hafferty provided the game winner less than four minutes later for the victory. Vincent took the win for the Beavers while Vincent Morales took the decision for the Highlanders.

OSU will head east next week to take on Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y., on Friday, September 8, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. PT.

For more information on the Oregon State men’s soccer team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the club @BeaverMSoccer on Twitter

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