SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Dominican women's soccer rode an early strike from
Janae Schwan and another strong defensive effort to a 1-0 victory over Menlo on Tuesday afternoon at Kennelly Field.
The Penguins (2-1-0) finished with a 9-4 advantage in shots, while both teams placed three attempts on frame and earned four corner kicks.
Michelle Salas Viniegra made two saves in goal for Dominican, and the Penguins' back line added an early team save as Dominican recorded its second shutout in three matches to open the season.
The Oaks (0-1-1) created the first dangerous chance of the afternoon in the ninth minute as Leilani Phillips beat Salas Viniegra to a ball and pushed her shot toward an open net, but Dominican's defense was able to track it down and steer it away before it crossed the goal line.The Penguins took advantage moments later, working the ball from the left side of the 18-yard box into the center of the field.
Carson Warfield drew in two defenders before poking the ball back to
Felicity Muro, who quickly played it wide to Schwan. Schwan did the rest, sending a shot from 25 yards out over the fingertips of the leaping goalkeeper and into the back netting for the 1-0 lead.
Dominican continued to search for a second goal throughout the half, with Muro sending an attempt high in the 20th minute and Warfield adding another look in the 24th.
Takoah Castillo nearly doubled the lead in the 34th minute as she struck a ball from the top-right corner of the 18-yard box, but Caroline Cordes was able to get a fingertip on it and steer it over the back post by inches.
The Penguins continued to do the quiet work after the break, earning three second-half corner kicks while limiting Menlo to one shot on goal over the final 45 minutes. The Oaks' best look of the half came in the 64th minute when Olivia Sams got loose behind the defense, but Salas Viniegra calmly caught the attempt to preserve the lead.Dominican had one final push in the 86th minute as
Lyric Gomez-Muniz ducked into the left side of the box and went near post from a tight angle, but her attempt found the side netting.
Ayla Moore forced one final save moments later, and the Penguins earned a corner kick off the chance before seeing out the final minutes to secure the shutout.
Dominican will remain at home Thursday as it hosts San Francisco State at 4 p.m. at Kennelly Field.
