VALLEJO, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's soccer team downed CSU Maritime Academy 6-0 on Saturday afternoon at Bodnar Stadium to capture its second straight California Pacific Conference title.
The Bobcats (15-2-1, 10-1), who enter the California Pacific Conference Championship Tournament on Bobcat Field next week as the No. 1 overall seed, also earn an automatic berth to the 2019 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Opening Round. The automatic berth is the third straight for the Bobcats.
Marcos Ceballos wasted no time tallying the game-winning goal, finding the back of the net just 45 seconds into the regular season finale. Forward Bryan Henriquez Rivera recorded the assist.
Junior Juan Flores doubled the Bobcats lead in the 26th minute. The Fresno, Calif., natives goal started a flurry of scores as M. Ceballos and Henriquez Rivera added to the Bobcats lead and it was 4-0 UC Merced by the 30th minute. Henriquez Rivera also tallied two assists during the stretch, while Agustin Guerrero and Christian Gaona were good for an assist each.
Henriquez Rivera's three assist performance was a career-high.
In the 38th minute, Andres Lua made it 5-0 with his ninth goal of the campaign. Guerrero recorded his career-best second assist on the score.
The 5-0 lead at the break tied the biggest halftime lead for the Bobcats this year. The Bobcats also led 5-0 after 45 minutes at Pacific Union College on October 10.
Freshman Michael De La Cruz accounted for the Bobcats final goal and his first career tally was set up by Francisco Lopez. Lopez's action was his first since October 13 due to an injury.
Overall, the Bobcats outshot Cal Maritime 18-1.
Lua led all players with three shots on goal.
Looking ahead, the Bobcats will return to Merced in preparation for the postseason. After a first round bye, the Bobcats will play in the semifinals at 2:30pm on Thursday, November 14. The opponent is to be determined. The entire 2019 Men's Soccer California Pacific Conference Championships will be held on Bobcat Field.
