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Men's Soccer

Lua, Bobcats Advance in National Tournament

SALEM, Ore. - Neighborhood hero Andres Lua scored a historical golden goal in the 95th minute as the University of California, Merced men's soccer team got by Menlo College, 1-0 in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round Friday afternoon at Sparks Field.

The Le Grand, Calif., native's tally marks the school's first ever win in the National Tournament and the Bobcats season will continue at 3:00pm tomorrow against the host of the Salem bracket, Corban University.

Lua, who held match-high with six shots, hit home the goal while following his previous shot that smacked off the crossbar. He was the first to get to the ball and buried a one-timer with his left foot from eight yards away. The sophomore now has a team-high four game-winning goals in the 2019 campaign, two coming via the golden goal.

A minute before Lua's goal, Flores smacked a shot off the right post from the top of the 18-yard box.

UC Merced held Menlo without a shot in the overtime period and outshot the Oaks 13-12 over the course of the match. 

Menlo did manage five total shots on goal but UC Merced goalkeeper Marco Sobrevilla stopped each one en route to his record-breaking sixth shutout of the season. Four of the five saves Sobrevilla was tasked with came from All-Golden State Athletic Conference selections, including two from Michel Weber.

Sobrevilla's sixth shutout this year overtakes the standard David Hernandez set in 2017.

Early in the game, the Bobcats got a shot each from Manuel Romero and Francisco Lopez who made their first start since October 26 and October 13, respectively. Those two shots came in the first five minutes and the Bobcats were limited to just three the rest of the half.

Menlo's top two scoring opportunities came towards the end of the opening period. The first was a Weber shot that Sobrevilla had to dive to his right and make a punch save. The save resulted in a corner that was well defended by the Bobcats defense. Later, Gomes powered a shot from eight-yards away that Sobrevilla reacted to quickly and was able to make a kick save.

The second half started with three straight fouls whistled on the Oaks. Their aggressiveness carried over into the shots column and Menlo took three before the Bobcats took a chance at the go-ahead goal. 

Juan Flores notched the Bobcats first shot on target in the 64th minute but was unable to get it past recent NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week Andres Zimmerman.

The Bobcats notched their only corner kick of the afternoon five minutes later. Rosas took the shot off the corner that was ruled wide. Miguel Coronado followed with a shot on goal seconds after a Menlo goal kick.

The 13 total shots marked the most the Bobcats have ever taken in a National Tournament game, while the 12 shots allowed is the least.

Friday marked the first career National Tournament minutes for six different Bobcats, including three starters (Sobrevilla, Guerrero, I. Ceballos).

The officials whistled 24 fouls in 95 minutes, 13 against Menlo. No cards were shown.

Up next, the Bobcats look to end Corban's unbeaten season and advance to the NAIA National Championship Final Site in Irvine, Calif.

First touch tomorrow afternoon is slated for 3:00pm on Sparks Field at Williamette University.

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Players Mentioned

David Hernandez

#00 David Hernandez

GK
6' 0"
Senior
Juan Flores

#10 Juan Flores

M/F
5' 10"
Junior
Francisco Lopez

#15 Francisco Lopez

M
6' 0"
Sophomore
Miguel Coronado

#3 Miguel Coronado

M
5' 5"
Senior
Andres Lua

#9 Andres Lua

F
6' 0"
Senior
Marco Sobrevilla

#1 Marco Sobrevilla

GK
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

David Hernandez

#00 David Hernandez

6' 0"
Senior
GK
Juan Flores

#10 Juan Flores

5' 10"
Junior
M/F
Francisco Lopez

#15 Francisco Lopez

6' 0"
Sophomore
M
Miguel Coronado

#3 Miguel Coronado

5' 5"
Senior
M
Andres Lua

#9 Andres Lua

6' 0"
Senior
F
Marco Sobrevilla

#1 Marco Sobrevilla

6' 0"
Senior
GK
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