Oregon State Beavers Men's Soccer Preview: Which Forward Will Lead the Attack?
Headed into the 2024 season, the Oregon State Beavers have the unenviable task of replacing Logan Farrington. Farrington, in addition to being the last Pac-12 Player of the Year and the third overall pick in the MLS Superdraft, was the engine that drove the Beavers' offense. With Farrington now tearing it up with FC Dallas, who will be the tip of the spear for Oregon State in 2024?
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Among forwards, the biggest name returning for the Beavers this year is Ellis Spikner. Spikner was an All Pac-12 second teamer last season, and finished the year with four goals and two assists, including one goal and one assist against SMU in the Sweet Sixteen. Spikner only started in 12 games last season, and should shoulder a larger role this year. He's shown some amazing accuracy already, so if he starts getting more passes fed to him near the goal, he could become a big part of OSU's scoring.
Ellis Spikner, as the Beavers are FLYING!#GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/FmJD2zvEJM
— Oregon State Men's Soccer (@BeaverMSoccer) November 26, 2023
Other than Spikner, the only forward returning for the Beavers from last season is Enzo Newman. Newman became a key part of the Beavers' attack in the back half of the season, starting the final nine games. During that time he picked up two assists. Newman could become responsible for setting up whoever the Beavers' next main attacker is.
Other than Spikner and Newman, there are going to be several new faces at forward for Oregon State. Three freshman could see the field for the first time: Paul Fecteau, Aidan Marquez and Sergi Solans.
Solans might be the most interesting prospect. The Beavers have done well recruiting from overseas and Solans, from Lleida, Spain, might be next player to break out as a Beaver. Solans has experience in club soccer in both Spain and the UK where he was an attacking forward. Whether he's able to leverage that experience into success at the US collegiate level is going to be a very interesting storyline to follow.
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Marquez comes to the Beavers from Huntsville, Alabama and has spent time with Barca Residency Academy in MLS Next. Therein lies an attacking forward, giving the Beavers another scoring threat. Fecteau comes from closer to home, having attended Summit High School in Bend, Oregon.
This is a group with a lot of potential, but it is very untested. It feels like some new player is about to make a big name for themselves, we just have to see who it will be.
Having grown up in Pocatello, home of the Idaho State Bengals, John Severs is a lifelong fan of small schools that don't always deliver a lot of wins. Prior to writing for Sports Illustrated, John covered the Beavers for SB Nation's Oregon State blog Building the Dam, with a focus on baseball and women's basketball. When he's not watching college sports he spends most of his time reading, playing video games and annoying cats.