MERCED, Calif. - On Senior Day, the University of California, Merced men's soccer team tied the program's regular-season win record after defeating Simpson University, 8-1, Saturday afternoon on Bobcat Field.
The Bobcats (13-2-1, 8-1) 13th win ties the record that was set last season.
Sophomores Marcos Ceballos and Andres Lua led the Bobcats attack, combining for three goals in the first half and four goals throughout the match. Juan Flores also tallied four points with a goal and two assists.
Hugo Soto, Omar Martinez and senior Bryan Raul Barrera accounted for the Bobcats final three goals. Martinez's goal was the first of his career and he became the first UC Merced freshman to find the back of the net this year.
M. Ceballos opened the scoring with a goal in the 24th minute. To go up 1-0, the Bobcats offensive leader one-timed a shot from eight yards out into the far lower corner. Ricky Rosas earned the assist, sending a pass in from roughly 45 yards out.
Saturday was the second straight game and fifth game overall that M. Ceballos accounted for the Bobcats first goal.
Lua netted his third game-winning goal of the season in the 31st minute, which is good for third in the California Pacific Conference. After taking a pass in stride from Flores, Lua worked his way down to the top of the six-yard box and beat the diving keeper to his left. Along with Flores, senior Bryan Henriquez Rivera was credited with an assist. The Wasco, Calif., native is now tied for first in the California Pacific Conference with eight assists.
In the 33rd minute, Flores made it 3-0 with a goal assisted by center back Rodolfo Prado. Prado's ball to Flores sailed over five Red Hawk defenders and after the first big hop, Flores powered a left-footed shot into the far corner of the net. Flores has netted a goal in four of his last seven games. Prado's assist was his second in as many games.
The Bobcats final first half goal came off a Miguel Coronado free kick. M. Ceballos was on the receiving end for his fourth multi-goal match during conference play. M. Ceballos' 14 total goals this season are good for third on the program's single-season charts.
The scoring slowed momentarily out of the break but the Bobcats did manage to take nine shots and a corner kick in the first 16 minutes.
It was Lua who made Simpson pay on the Bobcats tenth shot of the half, a goal coming in the 65th minute off an assist from Flores and Coronado that started a scoring spree.
Lua's goal to go up 5-0 marked the first of four goals the Bobcats would score between the 65th and the 69th minute.
Rosas found Hugo Soto for a goal in the 66th minute, while Barrera took advantage of a penalty kick 90 seconds later to go up 7-0. After being greeted by his teammates, Barrera quickly made his way over to the strong home contingent and showed appreciation to his support group by lifting up his jersey to an undershirt that read family in all black letters.
Martinez accounted for the Bobcats final goal of the match just 20 seconds after taking the field for the first time. Martinez intercepted a pass from a Red Hawks defender and then beat a second defender before firing a shot into the goal.
Overall, the Bobcats outshot Simpson 30-8, 15-4 on goal. The Bobcats also won the corner kick battle 3-2 and were whistled for just seven fouls.
Lua held match-high with eight shots, three on goal. Other notables include seven shots from M. Ceballos, five on goal, and six shots from Rosas.
Prior to the game, seniors Bryan Raul Barrera, Omar Centeno, Miguel Coronado, Bryan Henriquez Rivera and Manuel Romero were honored in a ten-minute pregame ceremony.
Simpson scored their lone goal via on a penalty kick in the 88th minute.
Up next, the Bobcats continue their quest for a second straight Cal Pac Regular-Season Championship as they travel to Torrance, Calif., for a match against last year's Cal Pac Tournament Champion Marymount California University. First touch from El Camino College is scheduled for 6:30pm on Saturday, November 2.
