ANGWIN, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's soccer team scored a season-high eight goals and shutout Pacific Union College Thursday afternoon to remain at the top of the California Pacific Conference standings.
The Bobcats (9-2-1, 4-1) 8-0 victory was highlighted by Bryan Raul Barrera, who recorded a career-high five points with two goals and an assist. Barrera is just the second Bobcat to record a five+ point match this year.
Marcos Ceballos also added two goals giving him a team-high eight on the year.
Sophomore Rodolfo Prado was responsible for the game-winning goal in the fifth minute off an assist from Miguel Coronado. The score was Prados first of the year, while Coronado's assist marked his fourth. Overall, seven of the Bobcats eight goals were assisted on.
M. Ceballos doubled the 1-0 lead in the 11th minute, while Bryan Henriquez Rivera added to the advantage shortly after with his fifth goal of the season. Out of his five goals, two have been in the first 15 minutes of the match. Ivan Ceballos was credited with the assist on the score, his team-leading fifth of the year.
Henriquez Rivera then set up Juan Flores for a goal in the 30th minute to make it 4-0.
Raul Barrera scored his first of two goals in the 33rd minute off the first career assist from Omar Martinez.
In total, the Bobcats outshot Pacific Union 17-0 in the first half. Marco Sobrevilla was between the posts for the Bobcats. Brycen Miller took over in the second half and UC Merced also held the Pioneers without a shot for the final 45 minutes.
Offensively for the Bobcats, the three second half goals came from Raul Barrera (50'), Omar Centeno (72') and M. Ceballos (74'). Centeno's score marked his first of the year. The Bobcats finished with 24 shots on the day, 14 on goal.
Freshman Michael De La Cruz took the first shot of his career. Other notables include an assist each from Andres Lua and Agustin Valdovinos. Lua's assist on M. Ceballos' first goal gives him points in five of the last seven matches.
Valdovinos' assist was the first of his career.
Coronado earned his 32nd consecutive start.
Looking ahead, the Bobcats host Sierra Nevada College on Sunday, October 13. First touch on Bobcat Field is scheduled for 3:00pm.
