MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's soccer team started their three-game homestand with a 2-1 win over the University of Antelope Valley on Friday afternoon.
The Bobcats (3-3-1, 1-0) were led by Jocelyne Garcia, who opened up the scoring in the 12th minute and assisted the eventual game-winning goal in the 65th.
Garcia's goal was her first of the season and she found the back of the net from 20 yards out after intercepting possesion from UAV. Garcia's goal moved her into eighth on both the program's all-time points list (46 career points) and all-time goals list (17 career goals).
Garcia's assist was her team-best third of the season, second on Bobcat Field.
Jenn Salinger was responsible for the Bobcats game-winning goal for the second consecutive match. Fresh off a hat-trick on September 26 at Sierra Nevada University, Salinger netted Friday's game-winner in the 65th minute. The senior outran a pair of UAV defenders and caught up to a perfect ball from Jocelyne Garcia to score a ground ball goal from 15 yards out.
The program's all-time goals leader now has six of the Bobcats 12 goals in 2021.
Carly Kissinger was credited with her first career assist on Salinger's goal as she started the scoring sequence from the center circle.
The Bobcats shutout UAV for the first 85 minutes and outshot the opponent 14-3 on the afternoon. Daisy Ruedes scored Antelope Valley's goal on a counter attack, recovering possession after a clear in the center circle and taking a couple long touches around a pair of Bobcat defenders in order to create a clean shot from just inside the 18-yard box.
The 85 minutes without allowing a goal marked the Bobcats longest consecutive shutout streak in a game this year. Starting goalkeeper Veronica Vazquez started her seventh straight game and stopped the first two shots she was tasked with, including one in the opening five minutes.
Other notables from Friday's contest include winning the corner kick battle 6-4 and forcing Antelope Valley into ten fouls.
The officials also gave out two cautions, one to each team.
Salinger held match-high with four shots. Joc. Garcia, Kimberly Garcia, and D Covarrubias each took two.
The Bobcats are now 8-3-1 all-time against University of Antelope Valley and are unbeaten in five matches at home.
Looking ahead, the Bobcats play host to La Sierra University on Sunday, October 3. First touch from Bobcat Field is scheduled for 1:00pm.
