SAN DIEGO, CA – Menlo College Men's Soccer showed grit and determination in their first PacWest road test of the season against Point Loma Nazarene University on Thursday afternoon. The Oaks leveled the score in the first half and created multiple opportunities throughout the match, but ultimately fell 2-1 after a second-half penalty kick secured the win for the Sea Lions.

Fiala's Eight Saves Highlights Oaks Fight

• Tim Schwarz scored his second goal of the season in the 12th minute, assisted by Isak Haukefaer and Johan Mendoza Aguilar.

• Goalkeeper Martin Fiala tallied 8 saves to keep the Oaks within reach.

• Menlo recorded 6 shots, with 3 on target, and earned 5 corner kicks.

• The Oaks matched Point Loma's intensity and controlled stretches of possession after conceding early.

Schwarz Scores Second of the Season

The game opened with Point Loma finding the net in the 9th minute, but Menlo quickly responded. Just three minutes later, the Oaks struck back when Haukefaer and Mendoza Aguilar combined to set up Schwarz, who calmly finished for his second goal of the season. The equalizer gave Menlo momentum, and they pushed forward with three first-half corner kicks and a shot on frame from Giuseppe Sigala.

The second half featured high-paced action on both sides. Menlo generated quality looks, including a dangerous strike from Haukefaer in the 55th minute that forced a save. Defensively, Fiala continued to shine, making diving stops to deny the Sea Lions on multiple occasions. Despite his heroics, Point Loma earned a penalty in the 77th minute that was converted, breaking the 1-1 deadlock. Menlo pressed in the final moments, with David Stuber firing just over the bar in the closing seconds, but the Oaks couldn't find the equalizer.

Final stats favored Point Loma with 16 shots (10 on target) to Menlo's 6 (3 on target). The Oaks held their ground in set pieces, earning 5 corner kicks while defending 3. Both teams were issued two yellow cards in a physical matchup.

Up Next

Menlo continues its PacWest road stretch on Saturday, October 4th at 2:00 p.m. when they face the Eagles of Biola University in La Mirada, CA. The Oaks will look to build on their strong stretches of play and capture their first conference win of the season.