Kirkland, WA:

Chaos unfolded in Menlo's second clash of the 2012 season, with the Lady Oaks finding themselves locked up in a tight one at perennial Cascade Conference powerhouse, Northwest University.  It took overtime, but ultimately Menlo could not find a way to pull out the heated affair, as the Eagles' Shea Samuelsen did the trick less than ten minutes into the extra period.  The University of Arizona transfer scorched one from 35-yards out, over the outstretched try of Oaks goal keeper Whitney Galindo to officially seal the deal on the Eagles 2-1 win. 

Although overtime proved to Menlo's demise, the thrilling tilt reached its boiling point in the closing moments of regulation.  With the contest knotted up at one a piece, the Lady Oaks' Erika Savela set up for a potential game winning penalty kick in the 89th minute.  The senior from Stockholm, Sweeden ripped a heat seeker into the bottom right corner, but NU keeper Mariah O'Brien refused to be denied in coming up with an unbelievably clutch save to send the game into OT.   

The O'Brien stop was one of several heart-stopping moments in the game's second half.  The Eagles broke the scoreless tie in the 62nd minute when Jessica Oliver found the back of the net, after smashing one from 15-yards out past the aforementioned Galindo. 

Things remained 1-0 in favor of Northwest until a new hero emerged for the Lady Oaks in the 79th minute.  Freshman Raquel DeJesus scored her second collegiate goal on a beautiful feed from Savela to bring Menlo even with just over ten minutes remaining in regulation. 

Although Galindo could not find a way to halt the overtime game winner, the Oaks goal keeper performed stellar throughout.  The junior from nearby San Mateo made seven saves on the afternoon, as Menlo was forced to hold off 16 total NU shots, nine of which were on goal. 

With the defeat, the Lady Oaks fall to an even 1-1, yet it was a showing to be proud of considering the Eagles were one of the top teams in the Cascade a year ago.  Northwest finished the 2011 campaign 11-4-4.  Menlo will not have long to let the loss sit with them, as the Oaks will be back at it less than 24 hours later with a match up at Evergreen State on Saturday, September 1st.  Kickoff is slated for 1:00pm.