MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's soccer team scored three first half goals and held on for a 3-2 victory against Soka University Sunday afternoon to complete Homecoming Weekend on Bobcat Field.
The Bobcats (12-2-1, 7-1) are now two wins away from breaking the program's single-season win record and are one match away from being unbeaten at home for the first time ever over the course of a regular season.
Bryan Henriquez Rivera highlighted the Bobcats win, scoring the game-winning goal and tying his career-high with four points.
Prior to his game-winner in the 32nd minute, Henriquez Rivera was credited with an assist on a goal each from Marcos Ceballos and Andres Lua.
Ceballos' goal came in the 18th minute to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. The goal marked his team leading 12th of the season and he extends his goal streak to four games. The sophomore has scored more goals in the last four games than he did during his freshman campaign. Henriquez Rivera sent the pass from beyond the center line and Ceballos took a few dribbles around his defender before firing from 17 yards away.
In the 28th minute, Lua doubled the Bobcats lead with a goal of his own. Lua ups his 2019 total to five goals, one more than he had last season and the five are good for third on the team. Two of Lua's five goals have been assisted by Henriquez Rivera and they have both come around the same time in the match. The first time they teamed up for a goal was the game-winning goal in the 30th minute against William Jessup on September 17.
The Bobcats lead was cut in half less than a minute later as Yauri De Groot, the California Pacific Conference's points leader, managed to get behind the entire line of defense and put one into the far corner of the net. The Lions Harrison Gilmer and Masahiro Otsuka earned assists on the goal.
The games next shot also resulted in a goal and that was Henriquez Rivera's game-winner in the 32nd minute. The offensive sequence began with Christian Gaona getting a touch on a goalkeeper throw. M. Ceballos took the next touch, a through ball into the box to the sprinting Henriquez Rivera who finished the play beating the diving keeper to his right. Gaona's assist was the first of his career.
Henriquez Rivera's goal was the final shot from either team in the first half.
Out of the break, Manuel Romero and M. Ceballos attempted to add to the advantage but Maxwel Barainca made a save and one shot was high.
In the 54th minute, Soka closed the gap to 3-2 with a goal from Gerardo De La Torre. De La Torres' score came immediately after a De Groot shot bounced straight down from the crossbar.
The final 35 minutes were action-packed with a combined 12 shots and eight corner kicks. Between the 71st and 75th minute, Miguel Coronado took three corner kicks for the Bobcats but both of M. Ceballos' shots were saved by Barainca.
Overall the Bobcats outshot Soka 19-8, 11-3 on goal. Both teams had five corner kicks in the 90 minute affair and a combined 18 fouls were called.
Lua and M. Ceballos shared match-high with six shots. Ceballos had four on goal, while three of Lua's shots were on goal.
Sophomore goalkeeper Marco Sobrevilla made a crucial save for UC Merced in the final minute as the Lions had a set piece from 30 yards out. Other notables include a shot each from UC Merced defenders Agustin Guerrero and Ricky Rosas.
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 3:00pm on Bobcat Field. Bryan Raul Barrera, Omar Centeno, Miguel Coronado, Bryan Henriquez Rivera and Manuel Romero will be honored before the game.
