The University of California, Merced women's soccer team traveled to Sierra Nevada College Saturday afternoon, and continued their stellar defensive play, walking away with a comfortable 3-0 conference victory.
It was the Bobcats' tenth shutout victory of the season, keeping them on pace to match or possibly surpass last season's program record 12 shutouts.
For the second time this week, Desiree Coles made scoring from long range look easy, burying a free-kick from 30+ yards out in the 27th minute to give UC Merced the 1-0 lead.
That 1-0 score would be all the Bobcats could muster in the first half, despite dominating possession and shooting statistics.
Those numbers eventually yielded the anticipated results for UC Merced, as the Bobcats broke through in the 48th minute. Coles was once again a contributor, as she lofted a perfect ball to a streaking Daisy Bonilla. Bonilla calmly slotted it home to double UC Merced's lead just over two minutes into the second half.
The dominance would continue for the visiting Bobcats, as Elizabeth Cruz got in on the action, finding the back of the net off an assist from Ashley Bennett to give the team their final 3-0 lead.
Maggie Morales started in goal for the Bobcats and made two saves in the first half before handing over the keeper duties to Gabby Vinco. Vinco wraped things up in the final 45, making one save to close out the team shutout.
The Bobcats' dominance was reflected in the box score as much as it was in the final score. UC Merced outshot Sierra Nevada 37-12 in the lopsided victory. They also forced Sierra Nevada into making 18 saves.
UC Merced returns home for their final home game of the season, which takes place Sunday, October 30th at 1:00 PM. That game will also be the team's Senior Day game.
