SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's soccer team overcame a three-goal deficit to send the game to overtime, but the Bobcats ultimately fell 4-3 by golden goal to Hope International University on Thursday afternoon in game one of The Master's Fall Classic at Reese Field.

HIU's Angel Flores tallied the golden goal in the 94th minute.

A UC Merced (2-1) win would have marked the largest comeback win in program history. Andres Lua gave the Bobcats a chance to do so with an equalizer in the 85th minute, the second latest equalizer ever for UC Merced.

Ricky Rosas (74') and Marcos Ceballos (79') also scored for the Bobcats in the comeback attempt. The Bobcats trailed 2-0 after 12 minutes of play and 3-0 midway through the second half. 

Michael De La Cruz started the first goal scoring sequence for UC Merced. Taking possession of the ball near the Bobcats bench, De La Cruz dribbled through four defenders in order to get a touch to Kevin Capetillo who was waiting inside the 18-yard box. Despite a crowded box, Capetillo set up a charging Rosas who fired a one-timer into the back of the net.

Rosas' goal was his first of the season and the 13th of his career, moving into a tie for ninth place with David Esparza and Kevin Quintanilla on the program's all-time goals list. 

In the 74th minute, the Bobcats cut into the deficit again to make it 3-2. Roberto Ceja and Marcos Ceballos teamed up for a give-and-go goal, with Ceballos on the receiving end and scoring from ten yards out.

Thursday afternoon marked both Ceballos' first game and first goal of the season and like Rosas, the Lindsay, Calif., native also moved up the program's all-time goals list. Ceballos is now tied for sixth with Brian Chongtuoa with 22 career goals.

Lua's equalizer in the 85th minute to overcome the three-goal deficit and go to overtime came as Lua took a Diego Fresquez pass in stride and beat the diving keeper with a ground ball goal. 

Lua, last year's leading scorer for the Bobcats, scored his first goal of the 2021 campaign. Fresquez's assist was the first of his career.

The Bobcats have now scored three second half goals in three of the last five games dating back to last season.

Hope International's goal scorers in regulation Thursday afternoon were John Mejia (3' via PK), Angel Flores (12') and Cory Booth (64'). 

Overall, Hope outshot the Bobcats 23-11 and earned eight corner kicks compared to the Bobcats two. HIU's goal in the 12th minute came off a corner kick.

The Bobcats were whistled for 13 fouls on the day and were granted a red card in the 62nd minute. All three of the Bobcats goals came while down a man.

Marco Sobrevilla earned the start in net for the Bobcats, while Brycen Miller played the second half and the overtime period. Each keeper made three saves.

The Bobcats overtime match was their first since December 2, 2019 against Lindsey Wilson College in the NAIA National Championship Round of 16 Game.

The seven goal total was the highest scoring contest the Bobcats have played in since October 26, 2019. Thursday also marked the first time giving up at least four goals since September 1, 2018. 

UC Merced is now 3-2 all-time against Hope International, including 1-1 on a neutral site.

Looking ahead, UC Merced plays The Master's University on Saturday, September 18 at 1:30pm. The match is also a part of The Master's Fall Classic.