MERCED, Calif. - Andres Lua scored another goal for the 21st-ranked University of California, Merced men's soccer team and the Bobcats (3-0) shutout Simpson University to remain unbeaten in the early goings of the 2021 season, 2-0 Wednesday night under the Bobcat Field lights.

Lua's goal was scored in the 24th minute, a header off a cross from Hugo Soto and with it the Le Grand, Calif., is now third all-time with seven game-winning goals. 

Lua has scored the Bobcats game-winning goal in three straight games and overall he has scored a goal in six straight games dating back to last season.

Juan Flores scored his first goal of the season in the 89th minute to help secure the victory. To do so, Flores split both a Red Hawk defender and the goalkeeper before using his left foot to bury the opportunity. 

Francisco Lopez earned the assist on Flores' score, sending in a long ball from his center back position to earn his first assist of the season and fifth of his career.

Overall the Bobcats outshot Simpson 18-7, 9-2 on goal. The Bobcats also had the corner kick advantage, earning eight opportunities compared to Simpson's zero. Three of the Bobcats eight corner kicks came in the first 15 minutes of the match.

Flores held match-high with six shots. Lua recorded four, while Rodolfo Prado and Kevin Capetillo managed to get off two each.

Marco Sobrevilla and Brycen Miller split time between the posts for the third consecutive game and were forced into making just one save.

The defensive stand came midway through the first half when Simpson's David Vasquez took a shot on goal. Throughout the match, there were three different ten-minute stretches and one 25-minute stretch in which the Bobcats didn't allow a Simpson shot.

Other notables include a busy UC Merced offensive stretch down the stretch in which Michael De La Cruz and Luis Villegas both had a goal scoring opportunity, however their shots were saved by Simpson's keeper Liam Bates.

The Bobcats win improved head coach Albert Martins to 10-0 all-time against Simpson.

Up next, the Bobcats visit Providence Christian College on Thursday, March 18. Time and location have yet to be announced.