Atherton, CA – Menlo College Women's Soccer showcased a promising performance in their season opener, despite a 1-5 loss to Dominican University. This non-conference match marked the first game of the 2024 season for the Oaks and their inaugural clash as a newly minted NCAA Division II team.
Promising Moments Despite Defeat
Dominican was the first taste of PacWest soccer before getting into the full swing of the regular season. In the first half, the Penguins built up a 0-3 lead over the Oaks. After readjustments at halftime, Menlo looked stronger in the second half.
The highlight of the game for the Oaks came early in the second half when Kaylin Gonzalez and Lyla Devereaux combined brilliantly off a corner kick. Just two minutes into the second half, Devereaux's precise delivery found Gonzalez's head, who expertly directed the ball into the net to score Menlo's sole goal of the match. This well-executed play was Menlo's first official goal as an NCAA school and will go down in history!
Familiar Faces in the Back
Menlo's starting goalkeeper, Giorgia Melcore, was a daunting presence between the posts, facing a relentless offense from the Penguins. Dominican launched 20 shots, with 17 landing on target. Melcore showcased an impressive 12 saves as the last line of defense for the Oaks.
Taryn Thalhamer was the starting center back and was one of the only Oaks to play all 90 minutes along with Melcore. Thalhamer continues to be a leader on the pitch and does not confine herself to the back line. She is never afraid to get in the box or take on a free kick to give Menlo more opportunities on offense as well.
While the Oaks walked away with valuable insights and areas for improvement, their performance was marked by moments of promise and determination. The game served as an important opportunity for the team to acclimate to the Division II level and gain experience against a high-caliber opponent.
Up Next….
Looking ahead, Menlo Women's Soccer is eager to refine their strategies and build on the positives from this matchup. The teams will meet again on October 19th during Menlo's Alumni and Family Homecoming weekend, where the Oaks will have another chance to demonstrate their growth and competitive spirit.
The Oaks next appearance on the pitch will be on Thursday, September 12th at Cox Stadium in San Francisco, CA. Kick off is set for 3pm PST with stream and statistic links available at MenloAthletics.com.
