MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's soccer team scored twice in the second half to get by Simpson University and remain perfect through the early stages of California Pacific Conference play, winning 3-1 on Friday night at Bobcat Field.

The Bobcats (5-2, 2-0) are 2-0 in Cal Pac play for the third straight year and are unbeaten through two Cal Pac games for the sixth consecutive year.

The game was tied 1-1 at the half before Marcos Ceballos scored off a short corner in the 63rd minute for his first game-winning goal of the year. Andres Lua added an insurance goal in the 76th minute. Juan Flores and Ceballos earned the assist on the two goals, respectively.

Flores' assist moved him into a tie for first on the program's all-time assists list with 29 career assists. Flores is tied with Artemio Contreras (2015-18).

UC Merced outshot Simpson 19-9 in the win and earned eight corner kicks compared to Simpson's 1. Both figures were key in the Bobcats improving to 11-0 all-time against the Red Hawks. 

Flores held match-high with six shots, while Ceballos and Lua took five each. Flores' first shot in the games opening minutes was blocked, however he buried his second shot in the ninth minute to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Flores' goal came on a penalty kick and he has now scored via PK for the second time in the last three games. Ceballos was the Bobcat fouled inside the 18-yard box to grant the Bobcats the PK.

The Bobcats put themselves in position to add to their lead throughout the first half with seven consecutive shots but instead it was a Simpson equalizer in the 32nd minute as the games next score. Simpson's Jesus Rodriguez netted the equalizer with Joel Sterling and Ulises Zavala earning assists. 

UC Merced was held without a shot the rest of the half, while Brycen Miller made a save in the closing minutes to keep the game tied 1-1. Miller earned his first start of the season.

The Bobcats managed to get four corner kick opportunities within the first 20 minutes of the second half and found success on the latter coming in the 63rd minute. Flores played it to Ceballos on the short corner and after a few touches near the goal line, rocketed a left-footed shot into the far corner of the net that stood as the game-winning goal. 

Lua finalized the scoring in the 76th minute finishing a give-and-go with Ceballos for his second goal in as many games. The give-and-go occurred at the top of the goal box with Lua making a sliding finish. With the goal, Lua is now tied with Marcus DeCouto for fifth in program history with 64 career points. 

Ceballos' assist was his first of the season.

The Bobcats took four more shots in regulation, two of which were saved by Simpson's keeper Daniel Morales. Morales finished with six saves on the night.

Miller had three saves in his third career start for the Bobcats. 

A physical game saw the official call 38 fouls, 22 whistled against the Bobcats which was one short of the program-high set in 2018.

The official also gave out three yellow cards, two to Simpson.

Ricky Rosas played in his 76th career game on Friday, tying Artemio Contreras for the most in program history.

Looking ahead, UC Merced continues Cal Pac play at Pacific Union College on Sunday, October 10. First touch from Angwin, Calif., is scheduled for 12:00pm.