ATHERTON, CA – Just over two weeks after earning full NCAA Division II membership, Menlo College Men's Soccer achieved another milestone for the department, earning the program's first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent in the DII era with a thrilling 5-3 triumph hosting No. 25 Cal State San Marcos. For the second consecutive match, four different Oaks netted goals, propelling Menlo with four of five total scores in the opening half and a lead that lasted from the 32nd minute to the final whistle.
Oaks by the Numbers
- 4 goals from four different Oaks
- 21 total shots, including 10 shots on frame
- 11 corner kicks earned by Menlo
- Manuel Portillo: 2 goals, 1 assist
- Tim Schwarz: 1 goal, 3 assists
- Hugo Few: Fifth goal of the season
- Sam Archer: Second-straight match with a goal
- Roy Rosenberg & Marcos Garcia: 1 assist each
- Schwarz is second in the CCAA in points (16) and tied for fourth in goals (6)
Historic Performance Highlighted By Four Oaks Goal Scorers
Though Cal State San Marcos established an early two-goal advantage less than 13 minutes into the contest, the next 19 minutes was absolute cinema for Menlo. The comeback began with
Tim Schwarz speeding into the box and putting a perfect ball on the ground to
Manuel Portillo who finished in sliding fashion. Nearly the same location and result took place in the 22nd minute when
Roy Rosenberg dribbled past the Cougar defense to set up a header for Schwarz and ultimately even the match 2-2.
The Oaks did not stop there as it was less than a minute later before they gained the advantage on a spectacular sequence in which Portillo and
Marcos Garcia exchanged crosses before a sliding
Hugo Few touched the goal home. Multiple Oaks were once again in the mix in the 32nd minute where a short corner kick to Portillo set up Schwarz for an initial header that was saved before dropping to the feet of
Sam Archer who continued his hot streak with a goal in his second consecutive match to elevate the Oaks 4-2. CSUSM scored once more on a penalty kick with four seconds left to conclude a first half for the ages with the teams combining for seven goals.
The contest's final 45 minutes featured more defense and fewer goals, but Menlo continued to remain in possession of the lead. Among the double-digit shot attempts for the Oaks fired for the fourth consecutive half was another strike from Portillo in the 83rd minute. Set up by quick moves by Schwarz in the midfield, Portillo dribbled to the top of the box and launched the ball over the Cougar goalkeeper to ultimately seal the 5-3 victory and the most goals for the Oaks in over a year.
Up Next….
A three-part road swing for the Oaks begins this Saturday, October 3 at Fresno Pacific with a scheduled kickoff of 7 pm as Menlo looks to build upon eight goals in its current two-match CCAA win streak.
