ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Women's Soccer rounds out the regular season with a 1-1 tie against Jessup University on Wunderlich Field. The Oaks finished conference play with an overall record of 3-6-2 and 2-3-2. Kawai Acopan scored Menlo's equalizer and the back line of the Oaks were able to hold it to a draw. It all comes down to the rest of the GSAC match ups coming up on Saturday to determine where Women's Soccer will land for postseason play!
Bend It Like Acopan
After trailing early to the Warriors, Menlo pushed hard offensively the entire match to fight their way back. The mastermind behind most of the attack was #10 Kawai Acopan. The sophomore fired 6 shots towards the Jessup net with 3 being on goal. In the 40th minute, Acopan went on to take the Oaks second corner of the 1st half. She struck it hard and over the keeper's reach to ultimately cross the goal line on its own! An impressive kick from the corner flag would even the score to 1-1 thanks to Kawai Acopan. This goal would account for her 4th of the season. Flash back to two matches ago against Vanguard, Kawai scored another beauty from outside the 18 yard box, again off of a corner, however that time she had been in the field of play instead of taking the corner kick. The central midfielder has started every match for Menlo and has also helped out with 2 assists along the way. Kawai has been a leader on Menlo's attack all season and has shown some great technique the last two goals she has scored!
Oaks Outperform Despite Score Line
On a side-by-side comparison with the Warriors, the Oaks overpowered in every line. Menlo totaled 22 shots, 7 being on goal, while Jessup only fired 10 with only 3 being on goal. The Jessup defense was very skilled at blocking Menlo shots from all angles which is why only 7 shots were on goal. Menlo had 7 corner kick opportunities and had 5 just in the 2nd half. The Oaks starting back line consisted of Taryn Thalhamer, Liv Brunzel, Melanie Davila, and Brynn McClymond who has held down the fort all season long. They did not allow any corner kicks to the Warriors. This match up required grit and smart decision making from this core to ensure the draw. Although there was a heavy offensive push from Menlo to find the go-ahead, the match could not have been without such a strong defensive group!
Up Next….
The Oaks currently sit as the #6 seed which clinches their post season play to the GSAC Quarterfinals! Menlo's season has come to an end however there are still 3 more GSAC matches taking place on Saturday, October 28 to determine the final standings. After Saturday Menlo Women's Soccer will know the opponent and whether they will be hosting or traveling for the Quarterfinals match!
