ANGWIN, Calif. - Sophomore Jocelyne Garcia broke the program's single-match record with ten points and Isabella Spiva recorded her second career hat-trick as the University of California, Merced women's soccer team defeated Pacific Union College, 13-0 in Wednesday afternoon's season opener in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Garcia, who accounted for four goals and two assists, broke the previous record currently held by Claudia Diaz and Niccole Salm. Diaz originally set the record in the 2012 season, Salm tied it in 2018.
Playing approximately an hour from her hometown of Petaluma, Calif., Garcia got her season started with the game-winning goal in the second minute before adding goals in the 19th, 54th and 55th minute. Both her assists came in the first half, one each to fellow sophomores Kaylee "Skittles" Melendez and Maddie Door.
Spiva's hat-trick was accomplished by the time the first half came to a close. The Merced product scored back-to-back goals (19', 20') early on and finished her hat-trick in the half's closing minutes. Spiva, who also had a first half assist, is the third player in program history with multiple hat-tricks in her career. Spiva joins the likes of Diaz and Jenn Salinger.
Overall, eight different Bobcats scored a goal and the Bobcats outshot Pacific Union 45-0. The Bobcats have now held an opponent without a shot for the eleventh time, first time in conference play since September 27, 2018.
Aside from Garcia and Spiva, the Bobcats goals came from: Melendez (4'), Madison Whitney (20'), Maddie Door (25'), Nadia Maldonado (55'), Jessica Garcia (77') and Zoe Juarez (79'). Maldonado and Jess Garcia's goals marked the first of their careers. It was the first career Cal Pac goal for Whitney and Melendez.
Nine different Bobcats recorded an assist. Kimberly Garcia and Kyndra Kiser each pitched in two assists. It was Kiser's third career-game with multiple assists. Kim Garcia and Maldonado each earned their first career assist.
Multiple Bobcats also made their collegiate debut's in Wednesday's contest, including Tulare, Calif., native Stephanie Medina who was first off the bench.
Wednesday's match marked the Bobcats first game in 473 days and it was the first ever against Pacific Union. PUC marked the Bobcats 24th opponent they have recorded a win against in the nine-year history of the program.
The win also improves the Bobcats to 5-0 in Cal Pac openers since the 2016-17 season. Four of the wins, including the last three, have been via the shutout.
Up next, the Bobcats welcome Simpson University to Bobcat Field on Wednesday, March 10. First touch is scheduled for 4:00pm.
