ATHERTON, CA

In what coaches and players hope symbolizes a fresh start for the 2023 women's soccer team, the clouds parted and sun shone on Wunderlich Field in the latter stages of the Oaks' 4-0 win over the Lion Angels this afternoon. The team's overall record is now 1-2-0.

Goals Galore in First Half

The Oaks jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage in the 14th minute, when freshman forward Sierra Correa sent a looping cross into the penalty area. Sophomore Haley Dunham made a run between a pair of Bethesda defenders, and met the ball as it came down in front of the goal with a well-timed leaping finish. 

Thirteen minutes later, Dunham added a second goal to her ledger. Lyla Devereaux unleashed a shot from near the top of the penalty area, which a Bethesda defender headed straight into the air near the 6-yard box. Dunham waited for the ball as it came back down, and nodded it into the net to increase Menlo's lead to two.

Junior defender Reese Hallo came into the game as a substitute midway through the first half, and made a crucial contribution almost immediately. In the 32nd minute, she dribbled along the sideline for several dozen yards, swerving between Bethesda defenders as she went, and cut into the penalty area near the endline. She zipped a cross toward the penalty spot, where Kawai Acopan latched onto the ball and rocketed it into the goal.

A few minutes later, Menlo added its fourth when Acopan went from goalscorer to assist provider. With the ball near the "D" atop the 18-yard box, Acopan saw senior attacker Dania Ben Shabat making a run toward goal. With a single low through-ball, Acopan removed four Bethesda defenders from the play and delivered the ball into the path of Ben Shabat. The goalkeeper did her best to cut off the shooting angle, but Ben Shabat's tidy finish went up and over the keeper and into the corner netting at the far post.

Menlo finished with 19 shots, 9 of which were on target, to Bethesda's 6 with 3 on target. The Oaks' offense, in which multiple players carry a goalscoring threat, looks to be getting into gear under second-year head coach Freddy Delgado.

Second Half Lockdown

Coming into the second half, the Oaks were focused on diffusing Bethesda's attacks and controlling the tempo of the game. The back line, led by Taryn Thalhamer with her typical self-assurance and decisiveness, worked to push opponents into wide areas through a combination of passing and positioning. The result was a match that, while somewhat open in the first half, became more of a defensive and counter-attacking affair, from a Menlo perspective, in the second. 

The Oaks received excellent performances from their fullbacks, including Brynn McClymond, Liv Brunzell, Reese Hallo, and Joselyn Hom. Providing electricity up and down the sidelines, all four kept Bethesda players on their heels and pinned in their own half. Menlo's pace, both on and off the ball, has been of its best assets so far this season.

Up Next

Menlo will be back at home next week for a match against UC Santa Cruz on Friday, September 22nd. Kickoff at Wunderlich Field is scheduled for 11:00 AM.