The Washington men’s soccer team will look to close out a season filled with ups and downs as it takes on Oregon State at the Husky Soccer Field tonight at 7 p.m. Earlier in the season, the Huskies came out victorious against OSU on the Beavers’ home turf and used the game to start a six-game unbeaten streak. Now, the Huskies are in a slump with just one win in the last six games.

The Beavers aren’t faring much better though, as they have been winless in their last three contests. They haven’t come out on top of any Pac-10 team other than San Diego State.

Even with a dismal record, the Beavers are still in possession of one of the most dangerous forwards in the league, Robby Christner, who will be a scoring threat. Christner is tied for fifth in the conference with seven goals.

For the Husky attack, the rookie-veteran tandem of freshman Brent Richards and senior Raphael Cox will once again be leading the team.

In his first season, Richards has already tallied eight goals and two assists for 18 points, and hopes to build upon that during tonight’s game. Cox, who leads the squad with 20 points, is just ahead of Richards with seven goals and six assists. He, along with fellow senior teammates George John and Josh Swett, will be making his final regular season appearance tonight. A salute to the seniors will also take place prior to kickoff.

Both Cox and John have had remarkable Husky soccer careers, including back-to-back second-round appearances at the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, this year John will be forced to sit out the regular season finale while recovering from a surgery he had last month.

Swett, however, has been a major asset for the Huskies as a senior transfer from Manhattan College.

“We are definitely glad he came,” coach Dean Wurzberger said.

At stake during tonight’s game will be a potential third-place finish in the Pac-10 race with UCLA and Cal already cemented in first and second place.

If Washington — fourth in the league — is able to come out on top tonight and No. 3 San Diego State falls to UCLA, Washington will be able to improve from last year’s fifth-place finish.

“This is a big game,” Wurzberger said. “We have this one result to remember now for nine months until we do it all over again in August.”

Wurzberger is also hopeful for the seniors to be able to close out the regular season on a positive note.

“We’ve got to be excited and we’ve got to go out there and finish the season the right way, which is to play well and hopefully come away with a win,” he said.

Reach reporter Sheena Nguyen at sports@dailyuw.com.