SEASIDE, CA – Menlo Men's Soccer continued their strong preseason run with an impressive offensive showcase inside Cardinale Stadium on Saturday evening, defeating the CSU Monterey Bay Otters in a non-conference matchup by a final score of 5-3. Fueled by a hat trick from forward Isak Haukefaer, the Oaks established their dominance early and kept the pressure high through 90 minutes of end-to-end action.
Oaks Light Up the Scoreboard in Seaside
Fast Start, Strong Finish
The Oaks wasted no time finding their stride, shocking the Otters with a quick strike in the 5th minute when Johan Mendoza Aguilar, assisted by Jose "Chicha" Garcia, put Menlo on the board. Just over 10 minutes later, Tim Schwarz doubled the lead after a well-placed assist from David Stuber. Both goals were scored off of clever build-ups from the Oaks throw-ins, each providing enough time for teammates to find open space to get a quality shot off. Menlo's momentum continued as Isak Haukefaer scored his first of the day in the 26th minute off a cross from Giuseppe Sigala, giving the Oaks a commanding 3-0 advantage.
The second half saw the offensive tempo rise even higher. Haukefaer struck again in the 49th minute after a healthy strike from Stuber would bounce back to Isak's feet. The Otters clawed their way back with a pair of penalty kicks from midway through the half. Undeterred, Haukefaer completed his hat trick in the 73rd minute, restoring Menlo's cushion at 5-2. CSU Monterey Bay added a late goal in the 75th minute, but Menlo's early cushion proved too much to overcome.
The match was tightly contested across the stat sheet, with both teams taking 7 shots on target and splitting 6 corner kicks apiece. The Oaks, however, capitalized efficiently on their chances, showing clinical finishing inside the box. Defensively, Martin Fiala was called upon to make four crucial saves, helping Menlo hold off a determined Otter attack in the closing minutes.
Up Next
Menlo continues its preseason slate on the road in Turlock, CA, where they will face the Warriors of Stanislaus State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 18th.
