MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's soccer team fell 2-1 to Soka University Sunday afternoon on Bobcat Field.
The Bobcats (6-5-1, 4-3) were haunted by a pair of penalty kicks, one in each half and were unable to combat the deficit despite outshooting the Lions 22-5.
Both penalty kicks were put in by Lions defender Renee Parado. Parado's first score came in the 26th minute, while her game-winner came in the 69th.
Jenn Salinger accounted for the Bobcats score, an equalizer coming in the 42nd minute off an assist from Clara Constantini and Sabrina Barata. After Constantini sent the pass into the box, Salinger managed to get a step ahead of two defenders before firing with her left foot. The shot was deflected off of the Lions keeper and into the lower right corner of the net.
Salinger has now scored in three straight games and is currently second on the team with five goals this year. Constantini's assist was the first of her career.
Prior to Salinger's goal, the Bobcats took eleven shots and seven of them were either off the post or saved by Lions keeper Ashley Bustamente. In the same time frame, Soka had just two shots.
Just before the half, Isabella Spiva was whistled offsides while attempting to score the go-ahead goal and the teams went into the break tied 1-1.
Four of the last five Bobcat home games have been tied at the half.
The Bobcats had a chance at the go-ahead goal early in the second half as Emily Burnett was taken down inside the box granting UC Merced a penalty kick. Constantini was the one to take the kick, however it struck the crossbar and a Lion was there to clear it.
The Bobcats got off five more shots and took a corner kick before the opponent scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 69th minute.
Following the PK, Salinger was the lone player on either side to take a shot in the game's final 21 minutes.
Salinger held match-high with six shots, three on goal and she is now four shots away from becoming the first player in program history to take 50 or more shots in three straight seasons.
Constantini took three shots Sunday afternoon, while ten other Bobcats had at least one shot.
Ally Lozano earned her 32nd consecutive start between the posts and made two saves. Other notables include a career-high two shots from Daisy Perez.
Up next, UC Merced hosts Simpson University on Saturday, October 26 for Senior Day. The final home game of the regular season is scheduled for 1:00pm on Bobcat Field. Moriah Brown, Jamee Bullock, Clarisa Cisneros, Clara Constantini, Sydney Quintero and Miranda Thomas will be honored before the game.
