PRESCOTT, Ariz. - The University of California, Merced women's soccer team fell 1-0 to 23rd-ranked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Friday night more than 5,000 feet above sea level.
The Bobcats (5-4-1, 3-0) were shutout for the second time this year and were outshot 24-7 in the loss. Embry-Riddle was the Bobcats first ranked opponent since September 29, 2019.
Despite the shot count, goalkeeper Veronica Vazquez and the Bobcats kept the Eagles off the scoreboard for the first 72 minutes behind a career-best 15 save performance.
Embry-Riddle ultimately broke through in the 73rd minute with a free kick from 20 yards out. Hayley Harris was the Eagles goal scorer, moving her into a tie for second place on the 2021 Cal Pac leaderboards with five goals. UC Merced's Jenn Salinger leads the conference with nine goals.
Vazquez's 15 saves on Friday night were the second most by a Bobcat in program history, just behind Valerie Presiado's 17 against Las Positas College on September 28, 2012.
Vazquez stopped all eight shots she was tasked with in the first half, including three in the final few minutes that required her to leave her feet. She also had to stop three shots from Katy Hyde, who had five goals entering Friday night.
Another busy stretch for Vazquez came immediately out of intermission, making three saves in the first four minutes.
Embry-Riddle's goalkeeper and 2X Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Week Mackenzie Osther earned the shutout for the Eagles. Five different Bobcats peppered her with a shot on target, including Kimberly Garcia who attempted an equalizer in the 85th minute.
Isabella Spiva, Jocelyne Garcia, D Covarrubias and Haylee Heffner recorded a shot on goal earlier in the match.
Joc. Garcia and Kim Garcia have managed to get off a shot in five straight games.
Covarrubias played in her 73rd career game, moving into a tie for first in program history with Veronica Villacorta and Noodles Sidhu.
Looking ahead, UC Merced visits Benedictine University at Mesa on Sunday, October 17. First touch from Eagles Park in Mesa, Ariz., is scheduled for 10:00am.
