ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Men's Soccer returned home for another preseason slate, this time with fireworks at Wunderlich Field, outlasting Jessup University in a high-paced battle that came down to the final minutes. The Oaks showed their resilience and attacking power, pulling away in dramatic fashion with an 87th-minute game-winner to secure a 4-3 victory. This game set the tone for a highly anticipated PacWest competition later this season.
By the Numbers
Stuber's 87th-Minute Winner Caps Off Offensive Showcase
Jessup stunned the crowd early, finding the net just two minutes in to put the Warriors ahead 0-1. Menlo didn't take long to respond, and their persistence quickly flipped the game in their favor. In the 16th minute, Giuseppe Sigala drove a low shot that forced a save, and off the rebound, Isak Haukefaer buried the equalizer. Less than a minute later, Haukefaer struck again, this time finishing a loose ball in the box to suddenly make it 2-1 Menlo.
The momentum firmly stayed with the Oaks, who continued to apply pressure in the attacking third. The highlight of the first half came from Chicha Garcia in the 27th minute. After winning the ball at the top of the 18, Garcia weaved through four Jessup defenders before delivering a blistering strike past the keeper to give Menlo a 3-1 advantage. After halftime, Jessup quickly evened out the playing field by making it 3-3. With the momentum shifting, Menlo relied on goalkeeper Martin Fiala to steady the defense. Fiala came up with three critical saves across the night, including a key stop in the 75th minute that denied Jessup a go-ahead goal.
With the game hanging in the balance, Menlo turned to set-piece execution in the final moments. After earning their third corner kick of the half in the 87th minute, the Oaks seized the opportunity. Chicha Garcia served a pinpoint ball into the box, where Hannes Herrstrom headed the ball towards the goal. David Stuber would push strongly past the defense to power home the decisive toe-poke. The perfectly executed play sealed a 4-3 victory for Menlo and punctuated a match defined by offensive firepower and resilience.
Up Next
Menlo continues preseason play on the road, traveling to Seaside, CA for a matchup against the Otters of Cal State Monterey Bay. Kickoff is set for Sunday, September 14th at 1:00 p.m. inside Cardinale Stadium.
