Palmer Ault's Double Leads No. 7 Indiana Past No. 14 Oregon State
Hoosiers striker converts penalty and adds second-half finish in commanding road performance
CORVALLIS, OR – Seventh-ranked Indiana dispatched Oregon State 2-0 on Saturday evening, with Palmer Ault's clinical brace providing all the firepower the Hoosiers needed in a dominant display at Paul Lorenz Field.
The decisive moment arrived in the 17th minute when Collins Oduro drew a penalty following a VAR review. Ault stepped up confidently and tucked away the spot kick low to the right, leaving Oregon State goalkeeper John Nicolson with no chance despite diving the correct direction.
Indiana's tactical superiority became evident as the match progressed, with the Hoosiers controlling possession and creating the more dangerous opportunities. The visitors registered seven shots on target compared to Oregon State's four, while maintaining defensive discipline that limited the Beavers to speculative efforts from distance.
Nicolson kept Oregon State competitive with several crucial interventions, making six saves throughout the evening. The keeper stood tall to deny Indiana's advancing attackers on multiple occasions, particularly during a sustained period of pressure in the first half when the Hoosiers earned four consecutive corner kicks.
Oregon State's best spell came immediately after halftime, with Arnau Farnos orchestrating their attacking play from midfield. The Spanish midfielder unleashed eight shots over the course of the match, testing Indiana goalkeeper Holden Brown twice on target. Farnos also created space for teammates, though the Beavers struggled to convert their limited clear-cut chances.
Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished just 54 seconds into the second half. Michael Nesci, introduced as a substitute at halftime, immediately made his mark by threading a precise pass to Ault, who rifled his shot into the top left corner with his right foot. The goal showcased Indiana's depth and tactical flexibility, with head coach making the perfect halftime adjustment.
The Hoosiers' defensive structure proved impenetrable as the match wore on. Victor Akoum anchored the backline effectively, contributing two shots while maintaining his primary responsibilities. Indiana's midfield trio of Jack Wagoner, Breckin Minzey, and Cristiano Bruletti controlled the tempo, with Wagoner particularly impressive in breaking up Oregon State's attacking transitions.
Oregon State's frustration grew as the match progressed, evidenced by yellow cards to Farnos and Tim Hoffman for dissent and unsporting behavior respectively. The Beavers managed just four shots on target despite attempting 17 efforts, highlighting their struggles to create quality chances against Indiana's organized defense.
Collins Oduro provided constant movement up front for the Hoosiers, drawing fouls and creating space for his teammates even when not finding the scoresheet himself. His pace and directness troubled the Oregon State defense throughout, complementing Ault's clinical finishing perfectly.
The victory showcased Indiana's credentials as a legitimate title contender, with their balanced approach proving too much for a spirited Oregon State side. Brown was rarely tested in goal, making four routine saves while his defenders dealt comfortably with most dangerous situations.
Oregon State showed glimpses of quality, particularly through Farnos' creativity and Pol Morlans' distribution from defense, but lacked the cutting edge needed against ranked opposition. The Beavers will take encouragement from their work rate and organization, though converting chances remains a concern moving forward.
Key Players
- Palmer Ault (Indiana) - Converted penalty kick and fired home second-half winner, registering two shots on target from three attempts - Arnau Farnos (Oregon State) - Led Oregon State's attacking efforts with eight shots including two on target, creating most dangerous moments for the Beavers - John Nicolson (Oregon State) - Made six saves to keep the scoreline respectable, denying Indiana on several occasions with crucial interventions