ATHERTON, CA – The countdown is on. The 2025 Menlo College Women's Soccer season is just around the corner, and with it comes a wave of excitement, ambition, and change. Year two in the NCAA Division II Pacific West Conference brings fresh challenges and big opportunities — and this time, the Oaks are stepping onto the pitch with a new leader at the helm. Head Coach Matthew Kemp, known for his tactical intelligence, relentless recruiting, and ability to elevate programs, arrives in Atherton ready to write the next chapter of Menlo Soccer history. Backed by trusted assistants Jacob Pickard and Robyn Rowley, Kemp has assembled a coaching staff that blends high-level experience with deep Menlo roots, setting the stage for a season fueled by preparation, belief, and grit.

"This group is hungry," Kemp said. "They've had a taste of what PacWest soccer demands, and now they're ready to push forward with even higher standards. We're building something special here — not just a team that competes, but a program that thrives."

 

Returning Oaks: Experience Meets Leadership

The backbone of the 2025 Oaks is a veteran core that knows exactly what it takes to battle in one of the toughest conferences in NCAA Division II. Senior captain Taryn Thalhamer returns for her fourth and final year wearing the armband — an honor she has held every season of her career. A defensive anchor with unmatched poise under pressure, Thalhamer has started all 35 matches of her Menlo career, earning PacWest and national academic honors along the way. Her presence sets the tone not just in the back line, but in the locker room, where her leadership, composure, and competitive fire inspire the entire roster.

Joining her in the captain's role is Kawai Acopan, a midfield engine who started every match last year, scored once, and delivered six assists. Her vision, passing range, and ability to dictate the tempo of play make her a constant threat. Defensively, Liv Brunzell — the reigning Menlo Athletics Female Iron Oak — returns as one of the most physically dominant players in the program's history. Brunzell's combination of strength, discipline, and tactical awareness has made her a cornerstone of the Oaks' defensive identity.

In goal, Giorgia Melcore brings back her shot-stopping heroics after recording 91 saves, three shutouts, and keeping Menlo in countless tight matches last season. Ophelia Jones returns as a dangerous attacking option, starting 15 matches last year and creating chances with her pace and creativity. And after a long road back from injury, forward Kaylin Gonzalez is ready to remind PacWest defenders why she's a scoring threat every time she steps onto the field. Together, this experienced group brings a level of chemistry, resilience, and competitive drive that will be critical in 2025.

 

Newcomers: Fresh Talent and Big Potential

Coach Kemp's first recruiting class is designed to raise the bar immediately, adding skill, speed, and versatility across all positions. Allison Canchola, a forward and midfielder from Roseville, California, arrives with a reputation as a game-breaker — a player who can beat defenders on the dribble, deliver pinpoint crosses, or finish chances herself. Her pace and attacking instincts will add a new dimension to the Oaks' offense.

In the midfield, Judd Eldredge Sagapolutele from Honolulu, Hawaii brings technical excellence and tireless work rate, seamlessly blending into Menlo's possession style while adding her own flair. Defensively, Honolulu's Sarah Naumu joins as a 5'8" center back with national-level credentials, including ODP and National Select Team honors. Her combination of toughness, leadership, and ability to read the game will help lock down the back line.

Rounding out the class, Kaiden Rathfon from El Cajon, California, offers rare versatility, capable of excelling as both a defender and midfielder. Her composure on the ball and vision make her a valuable asset in building play from the back. Meanwhile, Audrey Trevino from Denver, Colorado, is an attacking midfielder with a proven knack for scoring in big moments — the kind of clutch performer who can change the course of a game with one touch. Together, this incoming class doesn't just fill gaps — it raises the ceiling for what Menlo can achieve this season. 

 

Schedule Highlights: Big Matches, Big Moments

The 2025 slate is loaded with matchups that will test the Oaks' mettle and give fans plenty to cheer about at Wunderlich Field. The action kicks off with a handful of scrimmages before the first countable match on September 4th with a high-energy road opener against San Francisco State. A chance for Menlo to set the tone early and introduce the Kemp era.

Conference play begins on September 26 with a PacWest home opener that doubles as a celebration, as Student Affairs will treat fans to free snow cones during the match. Just a few weeks later, one of Menlo's favorite traditions returns with OAKtoberfest on October 18, when the Oaks host Fresno Pacific in a match that promises intensity on the pitch and atmosphere in the stands. The regular home season wraps up on November 1 with Senior Day against Hawaii Pacific — a morning kickoff that will honor Menlo's graduating class while providing one final regular-season battle before the postseason picture takes shape.

With a battle-tested veteran core, an infusion of exciting new talent, and a schedule packed with marquee matchups, Menlo Women's Soccer is ready to make a statement in year two of PacWest competition. From the first whistle in August to the final kick in November, the Oaks are poised to deliver a season full of grit, passion, and unforgettable moments.