MERCED, Calif. - Bryan Henriquez Rivera scored an early goal to lead the University of California, Merced men's soccer team (2-1-2) to their second straight Top-25 win Saturday night, 1-0 over 17th-ranked Menlo College.
Henriquez Rivera, who has now scored three straight Bobcat goals and two straight game-winning goals, scored Saturday's game-winner in the 12th minute. He is now tied for fourth in the NAIA with two game-winner's. Agustin Guerrero was credited with the assist, sending a pass from beyond the center circle.
Sophomore goalkeeper and Livingston, Calif., native Marco Sobrevilla earned his first career shutout and earned four saves to play a huge role in handing Menlo their first loss of the season.
Sobrevilla's stellar performance makes him the fifth Bobcat in program history to record a shutout. The sophomore was tasked with two saves in each half and all four saves were on the Oaks equalizer attempt. Menlo had not been shutout in the regular-season since September 16, 2018 when then No. 10 Lindsay Wilson College beat the Oaks 2-0.
Sobrevilla and the Bobcats also had to hold off an Oaks free kick with five seconds left from roughly 25 yards out as a result of a handball. The kick sailed over the crossbar as time expired.
As a group, the Bobcats back line held their own against the familiar foe and limited the Oaks to just nine shots, four on goal. The Oaks nine shots are three below their season average.
Offensively for the Bobcats, head coach Albert Martins' squad tallied 16 shots and it was sophomores Andres Lua and Marcos Ceballos who held match-high with four shots each. Ceballos tallied a shot on frame in the 13th minute, while Lua nearly nearly doubled up the Oaks with a shot of his own midway through the second half but Andres Zimmerman made the save.
Midfielder Jimmy Lorenti got in on the second half action and registered his first two shots of the season.
Reigning California Pacific Conference Freshman of the Year Rodolfo Prado made his 2019 debut when he checked into the match in the 64th minute. Prado was held out the first four games due to an injury.
Prado and the Bobcats backline found themselves tested throughout the night with Menlo's 12 corner kicks, but the home team managed to defend them extremely well and allowed just three shots from a direct result of a corner. Seven of the Oaks 12 corner kicks came in the second half.
Both teams combined for 33 fouls and four yellow cards. Menlo's Axel Helmertz received two yellow cards, his second coming in the 88th minute resulting in ejection.
UC Merced's victory extended their home unbeaten streak to eight games dating back to September 12, 2018.
Up next, the Bobcats visit William Jessup University on Tuesday, September 17 in Rocklin, Calif. First touch from Jessup Field is scheduled for 3:00pm.