ATHERTON, CA – After two standout seasons in the PacWest Conference, Menlo College Men's Soccer is ready to turn the page and embrace a new challenge in 2026. The Oaks begin their inaugural season in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), one of NCAA Division II's premier conferences and the powerhouse of the NCAA West Region, featuring nationally respected programs from across California's coast and Central Valley. The move comes on the heels of one of the most successful campaigns in program history, as Menlo finished the 2025 season with an 11-4-2 overall record and a 5-3-2 conference mark while earning the program's first-ever national ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The Oaks also collected multiple conference weekly honors, a national player of the week award, four All-Conference selections, and led the PacWest with 35 Academic All-Conference honorees, continuing the program's upward trajectory.

The transition into the CCAA is especially meaningful for Head Coach Keith Lambert, who competed in the conference as a student-athlete at Humboldt State, now Cal Poly Humboldt. Having faced many of the same opponents throughout his collegiate career, Lambert is excited to return to his roots while leading the Oaks into one of the nation's most competitive Division II conferences. With an experienced core, talented newcomers, and a culture built on sustained success, Menlo enters its inaugural CCAA season eager to prove it belongs among the West Region's elite.

 

Returning Oaks

While Menlo graduated several key contributors from last year's historic squad, the program is excited for veteran players to step into larger roles. The Oaks believe their depth will be one of the team's biggest strengths as competition throughout the roster continues to elevate the standard. With an experienced core and a culture built on accountability and development, Menlo enters its first CCAA season confident that the next generation of Oaks is ready for the challenge.

The Oaks return an experienced midfield led by redshirt sophomore Giuseppe Sigala, who started all 17 matches last season while leading the team with 6 assists and scoring the game-winning goal against Chico State. Joining him is junior Hugo Few, who recorded 3 assists in 14 appearances, and senior Tim Schwartz, who contributed 2 goals and an assist while making 15 appearances. Together, the trio provides Menlo with creativity, experience, and leadership in the center of the pitch.

Defensively, senior Roy Rosenberg returns as one of the anchors of the back line after starting 14 matches, totaling 2 goals and 4 assists, and logging over 1,200 minutes in 2025. A former GSAC Freshman of the Year and two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, Rosenberg brings championship experience to the Oaks. Fellow seniors Sam Archer and Davis Boogman are also expected to play key roles along the back line. Archer, a center back from England, started 6 of his 9 appearances last season and added 2 goals, while Boogman started all 11 matches he appeared in at center back. After an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, Boogman returned to form with a strong spring and is poised to rejoin the defensive rotation, giving the Oaks another experienced presence in the heart of the defense.

 

Newcomers

The 2026 recruiting class brings championship experience and proven winners to Atherton, with 16 newcomers joining the Oaks, including two players who arrived during the spring semester. The talented group adds depth, competition, and a fresh perspective as Menlo prepares for its first season in the CCAA. Leading the class is junior transfer Marcos Garcia, a native of Spain who arrives from West Virginia Tech after helping his team reach the national championship match in 2025. Garcia started all 22 matches, logging nearly 1,800 minutes while competing at a high level throughout the season, bringing valuable postseason experience and composure to the Oaks.

Also joining the Oaks are a trio of local junior college transfers ready to make an impact in Atherton. Enrico Ehret arrives from Skyline College after appearing in 21 matches and contributing 8 goals and 4 assists, while Diego Ruiz, a Menlo Park native, started 15 of 18 appearances for Cañada College, recording 5 goals and 3 assists. Fellow Cañada transfer Josh Ramos adds experience in the midfield after playing in 20 matches with 12 starts and assisting on 4 goals. The group brings proven production and familiarity with the Bay Area, adding another layer of depth as Menlo prepares for its first season in the CCAA.

 

Schedule Highlights

The road to the 2026 season begins with a handful of preseason scrimmages before the Oaks officially kick off the year during Menlo Kickoff Weekend. The early portion of the schedule will provide valuable opportunities for the team to build chemistry, establish its identity, and prepare for the challenges ahead. One of the first major tests will come against Colorado School of Mines, a national tournament qualifier from a season ago that will give the Oaks an early measuring stick against one of the West Region's top programs. Oaks fans can also look forward to a Theme game schedule featuring Youth Days, Snowcone Day for Menlo College students, Community Engagement opportunities, and more! 

The 2026 season marks a new chapter for Menlo as the Oaks enter the California Collegiate Athletic Association, one of the most competitive conferences in NCAA Division II men's soccer. The transition brings a demanding schedule featuring nationally respected programs from across California, including a challenging start to conference play on the road before Menlo welcomes Cal State LA and Cal State Dominguez Hills to Atherton, two programs that have captured NCAA Division II national championships in recent years. The season will also feature a special full-circle moment for head coach Keith Lambert, who competed in the CCAA as a student-athlete at Humboldt State, now Cal Poly Humboldt, and is excited to return to familiar territory while facing many of his former conference opponents. Fans can circle both Saturday's October 17 for Oaktoberfest and October 24 for Senior Day, as the Oaks celebrate their home slate while embracing the next chapter of Menlo Soccer in the CCAA. With a strong returning core, an accomplished incoming class, and one of the toughest schedules in Division II, the 2026 season presents an exciting opportunity for Menlo Men's Soccer to continue building on the momentum of its historic rise.