Men's Soccer Set for Road Matches Against Humboldt and Menlo

9/1/2026 12:56:00 PM | By: Josh Tatton - Sports Information Director

NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team will travel to Atherton, Calif., to face Cal Poly Humboldt and Menlo College on Sept. 3rd and 5th. Kickoff against Humboldt is scheduled for 1:30 PM PT, and kickoff against Menlo is scheduled for 11 AM PT. Both games will be played at Wunderlich Field.

The Nighthawks

NNU enters this weekend still searching for their first win. They finished their first road trip with two draws against Westminster (Utah) and MSU Denver for a record of 0-0-2. The Nighthawks played well defensively, allowing only one goal per game, but struggled to find the net themselves, scoring just one goal per game. Caleb Putney was a bright spot for the Nighthawks as the Junior from Vancouver, Wash., totaled three points with a goal and an assist. Putney assisted on the game-tying goal against Westminster, which found Rylan McPherson, who scored his first goal of the year and his 12th of his collegiate career. Putney also scored the game-tying goal against MSU Denver off a pass from Carson Din, who recorded his first assist of the year.

Gerardo Torres Fonte started two games for the Nighthawks, totaling two saves with one goal against before being removed from Saturday's game due to injury. Elijah Brockl stepped in, only surrendering one goal and recording four saves in the 1-1 draw with MSU Denver. With Torres Fonte's status uncertain, Brockl could be called upon to make his first start of the season.

Cal Poly Humboldt

Cal Poly Humboldt enters this week with a 1-1 overall record. They split matches with Fresno Pacific and Colorado School of Mines in Atherton a week ago. They lost 4-1 to Fresno Pacific. The Lumberjacks opened the scored off the foot of Gabriel Tucci and were assisted by Shota Lam and Erwin Manibusan Jr. before the Sunbirds erupted for four goals, including three second-half goals. The second day was a battle against Colorado School of Mines. Humboldt took a 1-0 decision with the Orediggers as Robert Somerville scored in the 84th minute to seal the win. The Lumberjacks will be without Luke Gomes as he was sent off with a red card in the 79th minute.

Humboldt is averaging one goal per game and is giving up two goals per game. They are led by Robert Somerville and Gabriel Tucci with a goal each and Shota Lam with two assists and two points. Erwin Manibusan Jr. has also recorded one assist. Alvaro Nieves has gotten the bulk of the minutes this season in two games played and one start. Nieves recorded five saves with one goal against, while Benjamin McDonald started one game but gave up three goals with five saves.

Humboldt was voted in 13th place in the CCAA Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll with 27 points.

All-time vs. Humboldt

NNU has not beaten Humboldt in the 25-year rivalry. The Nighthawks are 0-3-1 all-time against the Lumberjacks, with their most recent match being a 2-2 draw in Arcata, Calif., on August 25, 2022. NNU has scored three goals in the series and has given up 11 goals.

Menlo College

Menlo has yet to play on the road and won't do so until next week. Much like Humboldt, the Oaks are 1-1 after splitting with Colorado School of Mines and Fresno Pacific last week. Menlo took a 2-1 victory over the Orediggers after giving up the opening goal just 35 seconds into the match. The hosts then scored in the 44th minute from Harnoor Sidhu and in the 80th minute from Tim Schwarz. Menlo then fell to Fresno Pacific 3-0 after giving up two first-half goals and a third goal in the 67th minute while being unable to score themselves.

The Oaks have scored two goals this season, averaging one goal a game, but have given up four goals, averaging two goals against per game. Both Tim Schwarz and Harnoor Sidhu have scored a goal while Marcos Garcia, Matti Klause, and Janne Spangenberg have each recorded an assist. Vebjørn Madshus and Jaxon Tonley have each started one game for the Oaks. Madshus has two saves with three goals against, while Tonley has four saves with one goal against.

Menlo was voted in 10th place in the CCAA Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll with 60 points.