MERCED, Calif. - Andres Lua tallied his first career hat-trick and the University of California, Merced men's soccer team exploded for five goals in the second half to knock out The Master's University, 6-1 on Tuesday evening in the middle game of a three-match homestand on Bobcat Field.

The Bobcats (2-1) six goals mark a season-high and the most in the last eight games dating back to last season.

Lua's hat-trick came in a 21-minute stretch, scoring his first goal in the 50th minute before finding the back of the net again in the 55th and 71st minute. Lua's first goal was his 14th career game-winning goal, the most out of any California Pacific Conference player in league history. His three total goals brought his total goal count to 37 for his career. The Le Grand, Calif., native is the 12th Bobcat in program history to record a hat-trick. 

Joining Lua with a goal each were Agustin Guerrero, Joshua Golka and Kevin Capetillo. Guerrero and Capetillo also earned assists on Tuesday night.

The Bobcats, despite falling behind 1-0 early on, dominated the match and outshot the Mustangs 26-5 to go along with the 6-1 final score. 16 of the Bobcats 26 shots were on target and head coach Albert Martins' team also won the corner kick battle 8-2.

UC Merced's first goal was Guerrero's equalizer in the 29th minute. After a foul call near the corner flag, Capetillo sent a stellar ball inside the goal box and Guerrero was right there to head in his second career goal. Capetillo's assist was his first of the season and 19th of his career to put him in a tie with Ricky Rosas for sixth on the program's all-time assists chart.

UC Merced goalkeeper Marco Sobrevilla made a save shortly after to keep the game tied and the two teams went into halftime deadlocked at a goal apiece.

It was all Bobcats in the second half. The Bobcats earned two quick corner kicks out of the gates and following was Lua's game-winner in the 50th minute. 

Brian Lua managed to stop a ball before the end line and then took a couple dribbles before finding his brother Andres Lua awaiting at the penalty stripe. A. Lua's one-timer found the back of the net after splitting the goalkeeper and the post. B. Lua's assist was the third of his career.

A. Lua's second goal five minutes later came off freshman Jesus Ponce's first career assist. Receiving a through ball at the top of the 18-yard box, A. Lua took a couple dribbles and then made a defender miss before putting another one in the back of the net.

Joshua Golka scored his second goal in as many games in the 67th minute to give the Bobcats a 4-1 lead. A free kick from roughly 50 yards out off the foot of Ernesto Velasquez first found Guerrero's head before Golka blasted the ball top shelf. Both Velasquez and Guerrero were credited with assists.

Two minutes later, Capetillo got tripped up inside the goal box and converted his penalty kick for his fifth career goal and a 5-1 lead.

A. Lua completed his hat-trick and capped off the Bobcats scoring in the 71st minute. Dribbling down the right sideline, Anthony Rivera was able to connect with A. Lua in the center of the box for his first career assist.

A. Lua recorded his hat-trick while holding match-high with eight shots. Guerrero got off a career-high five shots, while four other Bobcats each took two shots.

Brycen Miller played the entire second half between the posts for the Bobcats. The 2021 Cal Pac Honorable Mention was not tasked with a save.

Hayden Scotti and Heriberto Paz Benitez joined Miller later in the evening to make their collegiate debut. Overall, 26 Bobcats earned minutes on Tuesday night.

Looking ahead, UC Merced wraps up a three-game homestand with Hope International University on Saturday, September 3 at 11:00am.