It had been 342 minutes since either the University of California, Merced or Menlo College women's soccer had scored a goal in the battle between the Bobcats and the Oaks. Then, in the 70th minute, Bridget Villanueva ended that scoreless streak by heading home a free kick from Roxy Barragan to put the Bobcats on top 1-0 against their former California Pacific Conference foes. That score would end up being all the team needed to secure their first victory of the 2016 season.
It's always a physical battle when the Bobcats and Oaks meet up on the soccer field, and this one was no different as the two teams combined for 24 fouls in the 90-minute affair.
It was a similar first half as last game for the Bobcats, with both teams acting almost like boxers feeling each other out in the first 45 minutes. Neither team had much in terms of clear-cut chances, save for some soft shots here and there.
The second half nearly got off to a rough start as Menlo got the first real opportunity of the game. Testing second-half starter Gabby Vinco, the Oaks had a decent look from just inside the 18-yard box and put it up toward the top corner of the net. Vinco read it like a book though and leaped to knock the shot out for a corner kick.
Finally the Bobcats got their opportunity and seized it in the 70th minute. After Noelle Weber earned a free kick, Villanueva came in as a substitute. Then, barely having time to stop her run onto the field from the sideline, she charged onto a Barragan set piece and knocked a header into the upper-right corner of the net, giving the Bobcats a 1-0 lead against a suddenly trailing home team.
Playing with their first lead of the season, UC Merced's stellar defensive foursome of Barragan, Desiree Coles, Kelsey McLaurin, and Tori Mollard went to work. The defenders didn't sit for a single second of the game, but as usual were up for the challenge of closing the game out. They did just that and the Bobcats moved to 1-0-1 on the year.
Vinco earned the victory for the Bobcats in the books, but Maggie Morales also earned her share of the victory, recording three saves in her 45 minutes. UC Merced outshot the Oaks 9-8 in the win, but Menlo held a decided 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The Bobcats will enjoy almost a week off before again hitting the road. This time they'll travel to Ashland, Oregon to take on Southern Oregon University on September 3rd at 6:00 PM.
