LANCASTER, Calif. - The 22nd-ranked University of California, Merced men's soccer team fell to University of Antelope Valley 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Lancaster National Soccer Complex.
The Bobcats (8-2-1, 3-1) loss is the first conference loss in 22 games dating back to October 6, 2017. The 21-match unbeaten streak was the longest in program history.
All three goals were scored within the first 15 minutes of the second half, the latter two goals coming off penalty kicks.
The lone assisted goal came in the 51st minute when the Pioneers Adrian Quintero connected with David Nava.
UC Merced was awarded a PK three minutes later and it was Ricky Rosas who lined up at the penalty marker. On the referees whistle, Rosas stutter stepped and fired his shot into the lower left corner of the net.
Rosas' goal was his second of the season, tenth of his career. Rosas now moves into sole possession of ninth on the program's all-time goals list.
The Pioneers game-winning PK came off the foot of Kevin Martinez in the 58th minute.
Despite the loss, UC Merced managed to outshoot UAV 13-8 and won the corner kick battle 5-1. Shots on goal were even, 5-5. Three of the five corner kicks and nearly a third of the Bobcats total shots came in the final 20 minutes of the game.
Equalizer attempts from Manuel Romero (71') and Bryan Henriquez Rivera (77') were saved by Pioneers keeper Lucas Garnica, while a Marcos Ceballos shot from inside the 18 smacked off the far post.
The Bobcats final chance came after the Pioneers Quintero received a yellow card with 38 seconds left. However, the set piece from roughly 30 yards out didn't result in a clean look and the UAV keeper held onto the ball as long as possible. He didn't take the goal kick until seven seconds showed on the clock and time expired as the ball was controlled on the other side of the center circle.
While the Bobcats had four shots after the final PK, UAV had just one.
Seven different players shared match-high with two shots. Henriquez Rivera, Rosas, Miguel Coronado and Jimmy Lorenti were part of that group.
Marco Sobrevilla was in goal for the Bobcats. The sophomore finished with three saves, all coming in the first 25 minutes.
Other notables include a combined six bookings and 39 fouls. The foul count was 22-17 with the 22 being called against UC Merced.
Looking ahead, the Bobcats remain on the road for the final match of a season-long three-game road trip. The finale is in Angwin, Calif., against Pacific Union College. First touch is scheduled for 3:00pm.
