Bearcats Fall to Menlo, 3-0, in Men's Soccer Exhibition Game

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

ATHERTON, Calif. -- Menlo College scored three goals in the second half to break a scoreless tie and defeat visiting Willamette University, 3-0, on Saturday, Aug. 20 in a game that counted as an exhibition for the Bearcats. Ryan Onizuka scored two goals and Noah Aini scored once.

The game was a regular season contest for Menlo, which competes in the NAIA. The Oaks are now 2-0 on the season.

Willamette, a member of NCAA Division III, was playing for the first time this year. The Bearcats will compete in two more exhibition games, including tonight at California State University-Stanislaus, before hosting the Willamette Alumni on Aug. 28 and opening the regular season at home on Thursday, Sept. 1 against Warner Pacific College.

Despite playing just a few days into preseason workouts, the Bearcats held the Oaks scoreless into the second half. Menlo held a 7-1 advantage in shots at halftime, but the Oaks forced WU goalkeeper Josh Fuentes (Sr., GK, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) into just one save over the first 45 minutes.

Menlo added three shots in the first six minutes of the second half. All three shots were by Onizuka, who scored the game's first goal at 51:00. Luis Nunez assisted on the play.

The Bearcats almost equalized the score when a shot by Alan Hernandez (Jr., F, Tigard, OR/Tigard HS) hit the crossbar at 66:58. Less than a minutes later, Julian Hanlon-Austin (Sr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS) missed high on another shot for Willamette.

Menlo took control of the game with goals at 71:48 and 77:42. Aini's goal gave the Oaks a 2-0 advantage. Nunez earned his second assist of the game. The third goal was scored by Onizuka on assists from Jonny Ensch and Noa Kerr.

The Oaks finished the game with a 16-4 edge in total shots and an 8-1 margin in shots on goal. Onizuka led all players with five shots, including three shots on target. Hanlon-Austin topped Willamette with two shots, including one shot on goal. Menlo achieved a 6-3 edge in corner kicks.

Fuentes played all 90 minutes for the Bearcats and recorded five saves. Menlo goalkeeper Alex Coates-McDoall also played the entire game and made one save.

Tonight's exhibition game against Stanislaus State is set for 7 p.m. (PDT) in Turlock, California.