HAYWARD, CA – In a thrilling clash on the road, Menlo Men's Soccer suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to the Pioneers of Cal State East Bay on Saturday morning. The match showcased a relentless effort from both teams, with numerous opportunities and a decisive penalty ultimately tipping the scales in favor of East Bay.

Haukefaer with the Equalizer

The Oaks came out strong, showcasing their offensive domination with 13 shots, six of which were on target. Despite their vigorous attack, they found themselves trailing early as the Pioneers scored in the 15th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box that passed Menlo's defense.

However, Menlo responded with determination. In the 28th minute, Isak Haukefaer leveled the score with a clinical finish. Johan Mendoza Aguilar's initial shot was deflected by the Pioneer goalkeeper, but Haukefaer was perfectly positioned to seize the rebound and unleash a striking effort into the upper left corner. This goal marked Haukefaer's third of the season and he also contributed three shots on goal during his 57 minutes of play.

The match took a decisive turn when a penalty was awarded to the Pioneers, who converted it to secure the win. Despite Menlo's valiant efforts and a strong display of attacking play, the Oaks could not overcome the late penalty.

Back Line Still Finding Moments to Attack 

Defensively, Menlo was anchored by key performances from Ian Brusewitz, David Stuber and Roy Rosenberg. All three lasted the entire duration of the match today and were necessary in today's battle. Brusewitz, a stalwart on the back line, made his presence felt by taking a shot on goal, while Rosenberg, known for his long drives into the attacking third, tested the Pioneer goalkeeper with another effort.

Martin Fiala, starting his third consecutive match, demonstrated his leadership and resilience. Despite conceding two goals, Fiala made several crucial saves and exhibited exceptional distribution throughout the game.

Up Next…

Menlo Men's Soccer team will look to bounce back as they continue their season, aiming to capitalize on the strong performances from key players and refine their game. The Oaks are back at home on Thursday, September 19th for a match against the Seawolves of Sonoma State at 4pm on the campus of Menlo College at Wunderlich Field.