ATHERTON, Calif. – Dominican women's soccer dropped a 1-0 decision Saturday Afternoon to Menlo at Wunderlich Field. 

The Penguins (5-7-1, 2-5-0 PacWest) got off to a strong start to the game as Jackie Lancaster took a ball in the 11th minute near the top of the box, made a good move to open some space with the defender and sent a left-footed shot towards the goal but it went just high. Dominican continued to apply offensive pressure with several shots and a couple of corners. A corner kick in the 29th minute saw Addisyn Barnum shake herself free for an open header in the middle of the box but was unable to square up the ball and it popped high into the air and into the arms Giorgia Melcore. 

The Oaks (1-8-2, 1-5-1 PacWest) made the most of their first opportunity of the game as Olivia Parlato chipped the ball over her head and past a defender to a cutting Verenia Gonzalez who made a move towards the top of the box to draw the keeper further out of the net before slotting home a shot near post for the 1-0 lead. Dominican had one more opportunity in the half as a set piece with under a minute remaining found the head of Ashlynn Hill who made solid contact but her attempt went wide of the right post and the Penguins trailed at the break. 

Dominican continued looking for an equalizer as it dominated shot attempts in the second half. Araceli Mejia had a good look at goal in the 80th minute putting a shot on frame near post but Melcore was there again to make the save. One minute later Mejia had another go at it with a solid attempt but the ball went wide and Menlo held on for the victory.

The Penguins will return home for a non-conference matchup with UC Santa Cruz on Wednesday at 4 p.m. PDT at Kennelly Field.