CORVALLIS, Ore. – Junior Hassani Dotson (Federal Way, Wash.) broke through the storm of players in the 97th minute inside the six-yard box for the Oregon State University men’s soccer team on Thursday at Paul Lorenz Field and buried the game-winner off a set piece from freshman Mitch Hammer (Cave Creek, Ariz.) for the upset win over No. 17 Cal.

“It’s hard to win in this league,” said head coach Steve Simmons. “I’m proud of the guys, especially after we went down on the penalty kick. It’s easy to fold but the guys held firm.

“Cal brought their game, we brought ours, held firm and took it into overtime. It’s a bit cliché but we wanted it more.”

The Bears (9-4-0, 4-2-0 Pac-12) were assessed a foul on the right wing just outside the box when Hammer stepped up to take the set piece for the Beavers (5-9-0, 2-4-0 Pac-12) in the 97th minute. Hammer’s initial service was punched away by keeper Drake Callender, but Dotson was there for the rebound as the shot bounced off his chest and into the back of the net, securing the 2-1 win.

The weather became a persistent backdrop through the duration of the match as the rain turned a factor in the 10th minute after a pair of Cal defenders slipped and collided while making a play on the ball in the midfield. Junior Don Tchilao (Chandler, Ariz.) and senior Jaime Miralles (Vinaròs, Spain) both went for the loose ball to start the breakaway.

Tchilao tapped it to Miralles as the transfer from Vermont sprinted ahead and put the shot past Callender from 15 yards out for a 1-0 OSU lead off his second goal of the season.

Oregon State maintained the lead coming out of intermission before Cal drew a foul in the box in the 68th minute of the match and the ensuing penalty kick from Jose Carerra-Garcia sailed past the outstretched hands of freshman keeper Gage Rogers (Gilbert, Ariz.) to even the tilt at 1-1.

Both sides played the even count through the remainder of regulation, which prompted the first overtime period. The Bears were held without a shot in the extra frame before Dotson’s golden goal secured the 2-1 final.

“They had their punch and we had ours,” added Simmons. “We delivered and I’m happy for the guys. We’ve been on the wrong side of this result too many times this year so it’s a great win for the guys.”

Oregon State remains at Paul Lorenz Field this Sunday, October 22, when No. 6 Stanford comes to Corvallis. Kickoff for the match is set for 1 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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