MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's soccer team routed La Sierra University 5-0 Friday afternoon on Bobcat Field in the final scheduled regular season game of 2021.

The Bobcats (4-0) have outscored their opponents 15-0 this season and finish their conference slate unbeaten for the second time in the last three years.

Five Bobcats scored in Friday's win, including Andres Lua for the fourth consecutive game and the seventh straight dating back to last year. Lua's score was also his fourth straight game-winning goal, a straight away shot from 15 yards out. Michael De La Cruz earned his first career assist on the game-winner.

Lua was joined in the scoring column by Juan Flores, Rodolfo Prado, Kevin Capetillo and Ricky Rosas.

Flores doubled the Bobcats lead in the 13th minute off a corner kick sequence for his second goal in as many games. Flores, who took the short corner to Jimmy Lorenti, received the ball right back and rocketed a liner to the far corner of the net. Lorenti's assist gives him at least one assist in each of his first three seasons.

Albeit no more first half goals, the Bobcats got off five more shots prior to intermission and keeper Marco Sobrevilla made a play in the closing minute to take 2-0 lead into the half. 

The Bobcats were stellar offensively out of the break and managed to take four shots and a corner kick within the first ten minutes. After that stretch, the floodgates opened. The Bobcats fourth shot resulted in a goal, a header from Rodolfo Prado to extend the Bobcats lead to 3-0. Prado's score came off a corner kick and both Kevin Capetillo and Ricky Rosas earned an assist on the score. Capetillo's assist was the first of his career, Rosas' was his first of the season. 

Shortly after in the 57th minute, Capetillo added to his offensive efforts and extended the Bobcats lead to 4-0 with a goal of his own. Receiving a pass from Lua, Capetillo took a couple touches to elude a defender to set up a clean look before lasering one past the diving keeper. 

The Bobcats final goal in the 5-0 win came off the right foot of Rosas in the 59th minute. Luis Villegas started the scoring play with a touch to the top of the 18 to Capetillo. Capetillo immediately utilized a backheel pass to a wide open Rosas a few yards ahead to set him up for his first goal of the season.

Overall, the Bobcats outshot La Sierra 27-9 in the victory. Lua held match-high with seven shots, while Flores had five. Capetillo and Rosas each recorded three shots.

Sobrevilla, Brycen Miller and Alberto Gutierrez combined for the shutout. Sobrevilla and Miller were tasked with a save.

The Bobcats offensive success throughout the game resulted in individuals moving up the program's all-time record books.

Lua's ninth career game-winning goal moved him into a tie for second place on the all-time list with Artemio Contreras, while his 22nd goal overall moved him into a tie for fifth with Brian Chongtoua.

Rosas' 16th career assist moved him into a tie for seventh place with Derick Zamora.

Four of the Bobcats eight originally scheduled games this year were canceled and listed as COVID no contest. 

If the games are unable to be rescheduled, the Bobcats will begin preparations for the California Pacific Conference Championships set to begin April 15 on Bobcat Field.