FULLERTON, Calif. - Andres Lua scored the golden goal in the 94th minute to lead the University of California, Merced men's soccer team to a 2-1 (OT) win over 22nd-ranked Hope International University Saturday afternoon.
The Bobcats (5-1-1) win marked their third win over a Top 25 opponent this year and are now unbeaten in seven straight matches.
Luas shot was the first by either team in the overtime period, one of 9 shots the Bobcats took in the match. Lua's golden goal also marked the Bobcats first overtime win since October 3, 2015 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Marcos Ceballos held team-high with three shots, two on goal and found the back of the net for the first time this year in the 77th minute. Ceballos' goal was the go-ahead goal and nearly stood as the game-winner.
However, Hope International's John Mejia scored an equalizer with 16 seconds left to force overtime. Mejia's goal was the Royals 12th shot of the night, 6th on goal.
UC Merced's sophomore goalkeeper Marco Sobrevilla finished with a career-high five saves. His first save came in the 7th minute and that also marked the first shot from either team.
Bryan Henriquez Rivera accounted for the Bobcats first shot in the 14th minute.
The Bobcats busiest stretch came midway through the first half as they tallied three shots in a six minute span, two from Ceballos. Jimmy Lorenti accounted for the other shot.
Sebastian Perez managed to get a shot off roughly ten minutes later.
In the second half, shots were much harder to come by. Aside from Ceballos' goal, Manuel Romero and Miguel Coronado managed to get a shot off.
Defensively, the Bobcats worked to stay strong in the final 45 minutes of regulation and had to defend five corner kicks and seven shots.
Overall, the Bobcats have beat Hope International back-to-back years. Last year's score was 6-3 and Juan Flores recorded a hat-trick.
Up next, the Bobcats welcome Benedictine University at Mesa to Bobcat Field for the start of California Pacific Conference play. First touch from Merced is scheduled for 7:00pm.
