The girls soccer team suffered a 2-0 defeat to their cross-town rival, the Menlo Knights on Thursday afternoon.
The match began as a defensive stalemate, with both teams struggling to gain any offensive momentum. Sophomore Akimi Jespersen, junior Mae Kunihiro, and senior captain Brooke Fehrenbach emerged as early defensive standouts, each recording several key steals.
An early tripping penalty presented an opportunity for the Bears to score, but Jespersen just barely missed the pass. Despite failing to convert on that chance, the Bears’ offense remained relentless, continuously pressuring Menlo’s defense with a barrage of shots.
Midway through the first half, Menlo managed to register their first shot of the match, but strong defensive play by the Bears forced a hurried, off-target attempt.
The Bears continued to shine defensively, with junior Lila Mahadevan making a crucial stop on a Menlo fast break to preserve the scoreless tie. When Menlo finally found a way through M-A’s resilient defense, junior goalkeeper Elise Koo smothered a weak shot aimed at the back of the net.
M-A responded with a fast break of their own, initiated by a brilliant pass from freshman Cassidy Thomas. However, Menlo’s tight defense forced the M-A shot wide to the right.
The Knights finally broke the deadlock when a deflection found the back of the net with just 12 minutes remaining in the first half.
The remainder of the half unfolded similarly, with Menlo launching an onslaught of shots at Koo, who recorded multiple saves to keep the Bears’ deficit at one as the teams headed into the break.
“We knew their best player was aggressive on the wing, so we focused on maintaining a high defensive line and applying pressure,” Koo said. “We expected this to be our toughest game, so we knew we had to come out strong in the first half.”
The second half began quickly with Jespersen pushing forward, determined to break through Menlo’s defense, but her effort ultimately came up empty-handed. The game remained a defensive battle until an M-A penalty gave Menlo an advantage. The Knights capitalized by burying a shot into the bottom right corner, extending their lead to 2-0 with 31 minutes left to play.
Jespersen responded immediately, weaving through Menlo’s defenders and unleashing a screamer that rattled off of the top crossbar, narrowly missing the net.
Freshman Adeleine Soltys substituted for Koo in a goalkeeper change, but the Bears’ defensive effort remained strong, with Soltys preventing any further Menlo goals.
As time ticked away, the Bears pushed forward in search of an offensive breakthrough. Shots from Kunihiro and sophomore Stella Hall tested Menlo’s goalkeeper, but the Knights’ defense kept both attempts from finding paydirt, sealing Menlo’s 2-0 victory.
“Losing to Menlo, especially because they’re a rival, makes it tough,” Fehrenbach said. “We know a lot of their players off the field, and it adds to the challenge.”
“We’re hoping to face them again in the playoffs and come out on top,” Jespersen said.
M-A will now turn their attention to hosting the Sequoia Ravens on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
