ATHERTON, Calif. – Dominican men's soccer fell 2-0 Saturday afternoon to Menlo at Wunderlich Field in their first meeting as PacWest foes.

The game was largely even through the first 45 minutes with a prime opportunity for the Penguins (6-6-1, 3-4-0 PacWest) in the 33rd minute as a ball inside the box was misplayed by the keeper and Anthony Stainer got to the ball first but his tough angle shot was inches wide of the near post. 

The Oaks (8-3-1, 6-1-0 PacWest) had the better opportunities in the second half as a ball misplayed by the Dominican midfield went back to Isak Haukefaer in the 52nd minute behind the defense but Alejandro Reyes made a beautiful save to keep his net clean. The Penguins countered in the 58th minute as they got numbers into the box with Diego Grande eventually trying to sneak a shot inside the near post but Martin Fiala covered it well.

In the 72nd minute, Donal Holliday took a rip from 25 yards out forcing Reyes to make a diving save to his left to keep the ball out of the back of the net. Menlo kept pressure in its attacking third and earned a corner in the 74th minute playing it quick and short to Sebastian Lopez who found Parker Faeth all alone in the center of the box for the header to take the 1-0 lead. Andrew Maldonado took the ball away from the Penguins in the 89th minute and took the ball down the left side before crossing to Mattia Celant who shook his defender in the center of the box for an insurance goal to seal the victory.

Dominican will return home to take on Jessup at 12:30 p.m. PDT Saturday at Kennelly Field.