Slow start costs Menlo in football Slow start costs Menlo in football (September 07, 2005)

Oaks look to rebound against Humboldt State in home opener Saturday

by Rick Eymer

By the time the Menlo College football team got untracked it was too late. The Oaks scored 20 points in the fourth quarter but it wasn't enough to overcome host McMurry University in a 40-30 season opening loss on Saturday in Texas.

Menlo hopes to use its late rally to get a jump on Humboldt State, which visits Cartan Field this Saturday in the Oaks' home opener at 12:30 p.m.

Starting quarterback Dustin Guglielmelli threw for 169 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Joe Micco added a 74-yard scoring toss but McMurry never trailed after scoring on its first drive of the contest at 3:14, and taking a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

Joe Crousen became the first coach since Joe George in 1991 to win in his McMurry debut. The Indians, who improved to 36-42-2 all-time in season openers, also beat the Oaks for the first time in three tries since their series started in 2001.

Menlo gave up 408 total yards, including 217 on the ground.

Menlo can take solace in that its offense did start moving the ball during the second half and showed signs of producing big results.

Brandon Gresham kicked a 22-yard field goal just before halftime and Guglielmelli connected with Mike Mather for a touchdown midway through the third quarter which brought the Oaks within 14-10.

McMurry responded with a pair of touchdowns and Menlo could not reduce the deficit.

Eddie Conner caught eight passes for 57 yards, and Kevin Lyle had six receptions for 99 yards, including the 74-yard TD from Micco.

Menlo gained just 73 yards on the ground.

Men's soccer

Menlo opened its season with a pair of home victories over the weekend, beating Occidental, 3-0, on Saturday after knocking off Cal State Stanislaus, 2-1, on Thursday.

Junior goalkeeper Jarin Beck made nine saves in the win over the Warriors, and recorded 14 saves in the win over Occidental.

Freshman forward Philippe Anglade recorded his first collegiate goal, which proved the game-winner against Cal State Stanislaus. Anglade received a breakaway pass from senior midfielder Balta Vazquez and fired a shot past the Warriors' goalkeeper at 66:40.

"Anytime you defeat a Division II school, it's huge and we're extremely happy to begin the season like this," Oaks coach Len Renery said.

Junior forward Aiden O'Flynn scored on a header in the 20th minute for Menlo's first goal. The shot came from a throw-in by senior defender Todd Jones.

Mike Sharabi's 13th-minute goal gave the Oaks all they needed to beat Occidental. O'Flynn and Jones added gaols.

Menlo meets San Diego Christian College and host Point Loma Nazarene on Friday and Saturday.

Women's soccer

Gunn High grad Ja'Net Lawrence scored twice and junior forward Rachel Anden had a goal and an assist as Menlo defeated visiting Occidental, 4-1, on Saturday.

The Oaks opened their season on Thursday with a 9-1 victory over host William Jessup.

"Our offense was clicking and we were able to utilize a lot of players, so, overall, this was a great way to begin the season," Menlo coach Owen Flannery said. "We took advantage of a lot of good scoring chances."

Sophomore Lauren Daniels also scored for the Oaks against Occidental.

Against William Jessup, Anden had two goals and an assist and Daniels added two goals. Junior midfielder Katie Gravett, Lawrence, sophomore midfielder Sarah Halicki, sophomore defender Kerry Gaiz and sophomore midfielder Janae Pimental also scored.

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