ATHERTON, CA

Oak athletes will soon be returning to campus, with men's soccer players among the first to hit the practice field and get their season underway.

Schedule Highlights

The first event on the team's calendar is a "Blue vs. White" scrimmage on Saturday, August 12th. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 AM at Wunderlich Field. The first preseason match will also be held in Atherton, with Contra Costa College the opponent. Kickoff on Wednesday, August 16th is slated for 3:00 PM.

The team's first 7 events of the year are all at home, with the first road trip coming on Friday, September 15th. That day, Menlo travels to Rocklin, California to take on Jessup University in a non-conference game at 11:30 AM. The following Tuesday, September 19th, the team will travel to Vallejo, California to take on California Maritime Academy at 5:30 PM.

Golden State Athletic Conference play kicks off on Thursday, September 28th, when Menlo hosts OUAZ at 4:00 PM. Two days later, on the 30th, Arizona Christian University comes to Wunderlich for a 1:00 PM kickoff.

The Oaks' first road GSAC game pits them against The Master's University on Saturday, October 7th. The opening whistle in Santa Clarita, California is scheduled for 11:00 AM. 

The team's regular-season finale comes on Thursday, October 26th, when Jessup University pays the Oaks a visit. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.

The GSAC Championship Tournament is scheduled for November 4th (quarterfinal), 9th (semifinal), and 11th (final). The semifinal and final rounds will be hosted by Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Arizona. Depending upon standings at the end of the GSAC season, the Oaks could host a quarterfinal match at Wunderlich Field on the 4th.

Key Returners

Keith Lambert will have several crucial cogs returning to the roster in 2023. Between the posts, goalkeeper Jo Krumsvik returns to the team as a junior. In his debut season, the Norwegian made 15 appearances, all of them starts. In total, he made 37 saves and completed 1 shutout. 

In defense, David Stuber and Ian Brusewitz return to anchor the back line. In 2022, each player made 17 appearances, all of them starts. The pair formed a formidable partnership in their first season in Atherton, neutralizing opponents' attacks with an effective combination of technique and strength.

In midfield, Dennis Vanin will once again don the Oaks' number 8 jersey. In his junior year, Vanin tallied 2 goals, 2 assists, and countless key passes as one of the indispensable elements in Menlo's engine room. Joining him will be another Swiss international, Levin Ledergerber. Last year, Ledergerber notched 5 goals and 2 assists, with his creativity providing crucial sparks in moments of transition and attack.

On the forward line, Oliver Mayer, who last season totaled 5 goals and 5 assists, will pull on the number 10 shirt in his sophomore year. With a potent mix of speed and power, Mayer will once again be a thorn in opponents' sides this year. 

Another returner to watch is senior Axel Valle, who took on the mantle of set-piece specialist in the second half of last season. A quick-footed and tenacious player with a wicked delivery, Valle figures to be an important weapon for the Oaks in 2023.

Notable Newcomers

Providing competition for Stuber and Brusewitz at the center-back position will be Luis Politron, an incoming junior from Salinas, California. He began his collegiate career at Hartnell College, where he won back-to-back conference championships. He was also a team captain, named First Team All-League, and played in the state championship match.

Also providing defensive reinforcements is freshman Sam Archer, brother of rising sophomore Joe Archer. Sam, from Stafford, England, played his high school equivalent soccer at Shrewsbury School. While there, the school U18 team came in 2nd in the Hudl Independent Schools League, and played in the championship match of the English Schools Football Association Cup. When playing for the U15 team, he won the country cup. He also played for Shropshire County at the U15 and U16 levels.

Another new face is Sebastian Lopez, a forward from Pescadero, California. Sebastian comes to Menlo as a junior, having previously attended Cabrillo College. While there, he was named one of the team captains during his second season. That year, the team reached the second round of the playoffs. In addition to his collegiate experience, Sebastian spent 3 years at the Silicon Valley Soccer Academy, which is part of the US Soccer Development Academy. He also played at Breakers FC, part of MLS Next, for 1 season.

We Look Forward to Welcoming You to Wunderlich Field

The 2023 Menlo Men's Soccer season promises to be filled with excitement and spectacular moments. Menlo Athletics invites you to come watch a game in person at Wunderlich Field in Atherton. There's nothing like seeing the Oaks in action!