COSTA MESA, CA – Menlo College Women's Soccer concluded its 2025 PacWest Conference regular season on Saturday morning with a competitive 1-2 result against Vanguard University. The Oaks displayed strong execution and attacking intent throughout the match, highlighted by senior Aaliyah Grigsby's second goal in as many games. Despite a spirited effort and a lead heading into halftime, Menlo ultimately fell after conceding two second-half goals to the Lions.

Grigsby Scores Again

• Senior Aaliyah Grigsby scored her second goal in two matches and her second of the season.

• Sophomore Aaliyah Alatorre earned the assist on the goal with a long throw-in from the right corner flag.

• Menlo outshot Vanguard 14-8, including 6 shots on goal to the Lions' 4.

• Senior goalkeeper Giorgia Melcore recorded two saves in her final collegiate appearance, while Vanguard's goalkeeper tallied five.

• The Oaks earned three offensive corner kicks and defended four.

• Matthew Kemp finished 3-6-7 in his first season as Head Coach

Oaks Show Progress and Heart

Menlo began the contest on the front foot, establishing possession early and creating multiple scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes. In the 40th minute, the Oaks capitalized on a throw-in deep in the attacking third. Aaliyah Alatorre, known for her long-distance throws, delivered a precise ball into the box that found Aaliyah Grigsby, who calmly finished for the opening goal. The strike marked Grigsby's second in as many matches and was a fitting conclusion to her senior campaign.

Carrying a 1-0 lead into halftime, Menlo continued to generate offensive chances early in the second half through shots from Kawai Acopan, Avery Grieve, and Kaiden Rathfon. However, Vanguard responded in the 61st minute off a corner kick to level the match. Just six minutes later, another corner led to the Lions' go-ahead goal, securing the 1-2 result.

The Oaks' overall performance reflected their commitment to maintaining pressure and composure throughout the match. Menlo finished with 14 total shots (6 on goal) compared to Vanguard's 8 shots (4 on goal). The Oaks also displayed strong defensive organization, conceding limited open-play chances and controlling midfield tempo. In goal, senior Giorgia Melcore added two saves to conclude a distinguished career in which she became the program's all-time leader in career saves.

Kemp's Inaugural Season Establishes Strong Foundation 

Under first-year head coach Matthew Kemp, Menlo College Women's Soccer demonstrated measurable growth and progress in 2025, concluding the season with an overall record of 3-6-7 and a 1-4-5 mark in PacWest play. Kemp's leadership emphasized discipline, consistency, and a culture of professionalism, resulting in a clear upward trajectory for the program. Among the year's defining moments was the Oaks' historic 1-0 upset victory over Azusa Pacific University, the PacWest regular season champions, marking the team's first conference win of the year. Earlier in the season, Menlo made program history with a 20-0 victory, the largest margin and highest scoring output in team history.

Kemp's first campaign also featured individual milestones, including Giorgia Melcore's ascent to the top of the Menlo record books in career saves. The program's improvement from last season's 3-11-2 record to this year's 3-6-7 reflects the team's enhanced competitiveness and collective growth. Kemp's approach continues to instill a standard of excellence and team-first mentality, laying the groundwork for sustained success in the seasons ahead.