ATHERTON, Calif. – Making his Oregon Tech debut in goal, transfer keeper Ryan Solis made four saves to keep Menlo College off the board, as the Hustlin' Owls and Oaks played to a 0-0 draw at Wunderlich Field.
 
The Oaks (1-0-2) held a 16-4 edge in total shots in a physical game that featured 28 fouls and six cautions. However, the hosts were unable to crack Solis.
 
"Overall, we got the clean sheet and the boys' worked hard for it," said OIT head coach Sean McManamon. "It was the first challenge this season for us and Menlo caused us some problems with good rotations in their attacking half. The boys' stuck to it, solved the rotations and fixed the problems. We battled hard for a full 90 minutes."
 
The Owls (0-0-1) had their best chances in the opening 20 minutes – as Dylan Nakagawa ripped a one-timer from 20-yards out just left of the post, while both Sebastian Brunk and Cooper Hunt got heads on set pieces off corner kicks, but their attempts missed high of the crossbar.
 
Solis came up big in the 30th minute, turning away back-to-back strikes from inside the box. Menlo nearly took the lead in the 63rd minute, as Ryan Branigan hit a shot off the crossbar and Roy Rosenberg drove the rebound wide of the target.
 
"We had our spells and opportunities, but couldn't find the back of the net," McManamon said. "Definitely good things to build on as we shift our focus to Simpson."
 
Tech returns to the Basin next Friday, hosting Simpson University at 2 p.m.