ATHERTON, Calif. – Tim Staerz tallied a decisive 83^rd-minute goal and Menlo (Calif.) dealt the Southern Oregon men's soccer team a season-opening loss for the second year in a row, 2-1 on Thursday afternoon at Wunderlich Field.

Following a scoreless first half, Raider freshman Sam Walker of Edinburgh, Scotland, marked his collegiate debut with a go-ahead score, giving SOU the initial edge in the 51^st minute after Kelly Gieber and Brendan Allen worked the ball from the corner to the top. Both were credited with assists.

The lead, however, lasted just over five minutes. Staerz and Alexandro Chaitidis – both transfers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City – hooked up for the equalizer, with Chaitidis punching in a point-blank shot right in front of Raider keeper Wyatt Zabinski after handling Staerz's pass from the end line.

Staerz tacked on the winner after Michael Weber snuck through the defense and led him for a 15-yard shot that bounced inside the right post.

The Raiders outshot the Oaks 15-13 but didn't put another shot on goal after Walker's conversion.

Zabinski and Oaks keeper Andres Zimmerman were both credited with three saves.

Menlo, a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference coming off a 13-5 season, has won three consecutive matches with SOU, all at home.

The Raiders will remain in Atherton to play a neutral-field game at 11 a.m. Friday against Pacific Union (Calif.).