LA MIRADA, CA – Menlo College Women's Soccer showed grit and resilience in their second PacWest Conference road match of the week, battling to a 1-1 draw against Biola University on Saturday afternoon. Just three days after opening road play at Point Loma, the Oaks capped their Southern California trip with a dramatic equalizer in the 78th minute to secure a result on the road.

Dramatic Draw in La Mirada

• Equalizing goal in the 78th minute from Kawai Acopan, assisted by Verenia Gonzalez and Taryn Thalhamer

• 11 total shots for Menlo, with 3 on target, compared to Biola's 20 shots and 5 on frame

• 4 corner kicks earned offensively while defending 6 from Biola

• 4 saves from goalkeeper Giorgia Melcore, including a clutch stop in the opening half

• Oaks showed discipline and creativity, turning limited opportunities into dangerous attacks

Resilient Oaks Respond Fast

The opening half featured a strong defensive stance from Menlo, who absorbed Biola's early pressure while creating chances of their own. The Oaks threatened first in the 9th minute when Aaliyah Alatorre's shot forced Biola's goalkeeper into an early save. Moments later, Judd Eldredge Sagapolutele and Kawai Acopan both tested the Eagles' backline with shots just off target. On the other end, Melcore kept the Oaks level, making two crucial saves in the first half to deny Biola's Peyton Nelson.

The second half intensified as both teams chased the opening goal. The Eagles finally broke through in the 74th minute when Nelson capitalized on a chance inside the box, putting Biola ahead 1-0. But Menlo wasted no time answering back. Just three minutes later, Verenia Gonzalez won possession in the central midfield and connected with Thalhamer on a quick drop pass. Thalhamer's driven pass into the box found Acopan, who used a brilliant first touch to set herself up before slotting home a right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner. The equalizer lifted the Oaks and shifted momentum for the closing stretch.

Biola pushed forward in the final minutes, but the Menlo defense stood tall, with Melcore securing her fourth save of the day. The Oaks nearly found a late winner when Gonzalez forced a save in the 86th minute, but the final whistle confirmed a well-earned 1-1 result.

Up Next

The Oaks return home to Atherton for a PacWest showdown against the Warriors of Westmont College on Thursday, October 9, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. at Wunderlich Field. Menlo will look to carry the energy from their resilient road trip into their first home conference match of October.