HILO, HI – Menlo Men's Soccer capped off their trip to the Hawaiian Islands with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the University of Hawaii at Hilo, securing an undefeated record across the three games. The Oaks showed resilience and determination, controlling the match's momentum for the entire 90 minutes. Menlo's exceptional teamwork and cohesive play made the difference, ensuring they returned home with heads held high.
Teamwork Gets the Job Done
Menlo got off to a fast start, with Johan Mendoza Aguilar scoring a beautiful goal just five minutes into the match. Aguilar received the ball at the top of the box and fired a strong strike past the Vulcans goalkeeper, giving the Oaks an early lead. The Oaks continued to apply pressure and in the 56th minute, capitalized on a corner kick for their second goal. After a Vulcan clearance, Mattia Celant found himself in space at the top left of the 18-yard box and calmly slotted the ball through traffic to double Menlo's lead.
The Vulcans responded late, netting a goal in the 83rd minute, but Menlo's defense stood tall in the closing minutes, ensuring their hard-fought victory and perfect record in Hawaii. The back line, Roy Rosenberg, David Stuber, Donald Holliday, and Luis Politron held down the fort having played all 90 minutes in the heat. Without them, the Vulcans were definitely skilled enough to work some magic. But the Oaks dominated on the pitch and will return to Atherton in 2nd place in the PacWest Conference standings.
Oak Standouts
The Menlo Oaks delivered another strong all-around performance, with key players stepping up across the field. Menlo totaled seven shots in the game, with four on target. Johan Mendoza Aguilar and Mattia Celant each took two shots, both proving dangerous throughout the match. Isak Haukefaer also tested the Vulcans' defense, though his shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
Starting Oaks goalkeeper Martin Fiala was crucial to the victory, making three key saves that kept Menlo in control and allowed them to maintain their lead.
Up Next....
The Oaks will return to California for their next matchup against Dominican University on Saturday, October 19th, with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 a.m. The game is part of Menlo College's annual OAKtoberfest weekend, a celebration of the Menlo community. Family, friends, and alumni are invited to come out and enjoy a weekend of soccer and festivities.
