RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The two most experienced Bobcats in program history found the back of the net to lead the University of California, Merced women's soccer team to a 3-1 win over Benedictine University Mesa on Wednesday night in the California Pacific Conference Quarterfinals.
The Bobcats (10-6-1) will now face second-seeded Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Thursday at 7:00pm in the tournament semifinals.
UC Merced, who has won a postseason game for the fourth consecutive season, opened the scoring in the ninth minute and led the remainder of the contest.
D Covarrubias scored once in each half, while Cal Pac Player of the Year Jenn Salinger scored in the 25th minute. Salinger's goal stood as the game-winning goal, her fifth of the season which is a new program single-season record.
Covarrubuias' multi-goal game was the sixth of her career and second of her postseason career. With it, the program's all-time appearances leader passed Daisy Bonilla for fourth in program history with 63 career points.
Covarrubias also passed Jocelyne Garcia for the most postseason goals in program history. Covarrbuas has five postseason scores, a brace against BenU Mesa in 2018 and 2021, as well as a goal in the 2019 semifinals against University of Antelope Valley.
BenU Mesa's goal came on their only shot of the night, a score by Madelyn Medina in the 28th minute.
Overall, UC Merced outshot the Redhawks 14-1 and 8-1 on target. Salinger held match-high with five shots, Covarrubias got off four.
Despite those figures, BenU Mesa managed to win the corner kick battle 4-2.
UC Merced was whistled for ten fouls and were issued three cautions.
Veronica Vazquez and Jadyn Gong split time between the posts for the Bobcats.Vazquez earned the start.
Four Bobcat freshmen made their postseason debut, including Lilly Boucher and Haylee Heffner, who earned the starting nod. Freshmen Alex Carpenter and Jadyn Gong logged minutes off the bench.
Conference tournament action continues on Thursday as the Bobcats face second-seeded Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at 7:00pm in Riverside, Calif.
