UCLA
Oregon State
Chavez Hat Trick Leads UCLA To 4-1 Win Over Oregon State
October 03, 2010 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 3, 2010
Los Angeles, Calif. - Freshman forward Victor Chavez scored three goals in under five minutes to lead No. 20 UCLA to a 4-1 victory over Oregon State on Sunday afternoon. Chavez's hat trick was the first by a UCLA freshman in 24 years.
The Bruins gained an early lead on Oregon State with a 10th minute goal by freshman Reed Williams, his third of the season. Kelyn Rowe set up the goal when he gained possession of the ball beyond midfield, dribbled up-field on a breakaway and passed to Williams on the right side. Williams' right-footed shot found the left corner at 9:51.
Although UCLA did not score another goal in the first half, the Bruins remained dangerous, peppering the Beavers with 14 shots in the half, six of which were saved by Oregon State goalkeeper Steve Spangler. Matt Wiet had a free kick saved by Spangler in the 20th minute, and Andy Rose just missed on the rebound. Rose was also inches away from a goal in the 33rd minute with a curling shot that was headed for the upper right corner but broke just wide.
Spangler, who finished the game with 10 saves, kept his team close early in the second half, making big saves on shots by Ryan Hollingshead in the 57th minute and Chavez in the 66th minute. Oregon State's offense, meanwhile, had a few near misses, with Brian Ramsey's shot hitting the crossbar in the 62nd minute and Alex Penny's header missing wide in the 66th minute.
Chavez took over from there, going on an under-five minute scoring spree. His first goal came at 68:35 when he sent in a hard-angled shot far post past Spangler. Four minutes later, at 72:36, Chavez received a through ball on the right side from Rose and shot far post once again. Chavez's final goal came at 73:02, scoring from 20 yards out after passes from Hollingshead and Eder Arreola. Chavez's hat trick was the first by a UCLA player since Maxwell Griffin scored three against Penn State on Sept. 16, 2007 and the first by a UCLA freshman since Lucas Martin scored three goals against Loyola Marymount on Oct. 24, 1986.
Oregon State got one back at 86:11 on a volley from close-range by Josh von Allworden. Chris Harms earned the assist after playing a long ball into the box.
With the win, UCLA improves to 7-2-1, 2-0-0 in the Pac-10. Oregon State drops to 6-3-0, 1-1-0 in the Pac-10. The Bruins will host San Diego State on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7 pm.
