MERCED, Calif. - Marcos Ceballos kept the Bobcats unbeaten streak intact with a golden goal in the 103rd minute and Marco Sobrevilla earned his second straight shutout in a 1-0 (2OT) win over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Sunday afternoon on Bobcat Field.
Ceballos' game-winner extends the Bobcats (7-1-1, 2-0) unbeaten streak to eight games this year, 20 straight conference games dating back to 2017.
The sophomores score also marked the Bobcats second golden goal in the last three games, first golden goal in double overtime since November 1, 2014.
The scoring opportunity started when Miguel Coronado won possession of an air ball and shot one down the field to the sprinting Bryan Henriquez Rivera. Henriquez Rivera drew the Eagles keeper out of the net and Ceballos was there to finish the attack.
Henriquez Rivera's assist was his third of the season, joining Coronado for the team lead.
Ceballos' goal was the Bobcats 18th shot of the afternoon, seventh on target. Ceballos held match-high with three shots on target, while Andres Lua led all players with seven total shots.
Lua's seven shots are the most by a Bobcat player this year.
The Eagles also had a fair amount of scoring opportunities, recording 15 shots and eleven corner kicks.
Only five of the shots were on target and Sobrevilla's five saves brings his 2019 total to 26. The Livingston High School product has been tasked with at least four saves in three of his four shutouts this year.
His latest save came in the 89th minute. 18 seconds later, the Eagles had another attempt at a game-winning goal that Sobrevilla's high school teammate, Francisco Lopez, managed to block.
Lopez and the Bobcats back line consisting of Ricky Rosas, Agustin Guerrero and Rodolfo Prado played all 103 minutes.
UC Merced had to play down a man in the final 90 seconds of the first overtime period, as well as the three and a half minutes of double overtime as Juan Flores was booked for the second time and received a red card.
In total, the referees showed nine yellow cards and called 31 fouls.
Other notables include three shots from Omar Centeno, two on goal. Miguel Coronado started his 29th consecutive game and got two shots off.
Up next, UC Merced visits Providence Christian College for a 9:00am match on Thursday, October 4 in Pasadena.
