MERCED, Calif. - Omar Garcia scored early and Andres Lua found the back of the net twice in the second half as the University of California, Merced men's soccer team shutout La Sierra University 3-0 in the California Pacific Conference opener Sunday afternoon on Bobcat Field.

The Bobcats (4-1-1) have now earned four straight shutout victories in conference openers and are unbeaten in seven straight Cal Pac openers dating back to 2016.

Garcia's goal was his second game-winning goal in a row. The freshman's tally came in the 11th minute, beating the keeper near post from eight yards out off a Kevin Capetillo assist. Capetillo has been credited with an assist in three straight home games.

Lua doubled the Bobcats lead by heading in a goal in the 58th minute directly off a Capetillo corner kick. 

The latest Cal Pac Offensive Player of the Week put the Bobcats ahead 3-0 in the 71st minute. Taking a touch after a Luis Villegas pass, Lua then let loose with his right foot and smoked a ground ball goal past the diving keeper. Villegas' assist was his first of the season.

Lua's multi-goal game is already his third of the season, all coming on Bobcat Field, and it put him over 100 points for his career. Lua joins the elite company of Juan Flores, Cody Golbad, and Artemio Contreras as the four Bobcats with 100+ career points.

Capetillo's multi-assist match gives him a team-best four assists on the year and it moves him out of a tie with David Esparza and into sole possession of fifth on the program's all-time list with 22 career assists.

Overall, UC Merced outshot La Sierra 19-7 on the day and 11-3 on goal. The Bobcats also won the corner kick battle, 6-4.

Lua held match-high with seven shots, four on target. Marcos Ceballos and Diego Fresquez each recorded three shots on target. The duo's top opportunities came in the 42nd and 85th minute, respectively.

Marco Sobrevilla and Brycen Miller combined for the Bobcats second shutout of the season. Sobrevilla logged 75 minutes and made two saves, both coming early in each half. Sobrevilla stopped a penalty kick from the 2021 Cal Pac Freshman of the Year, Anthony Garcia, in the fourth minute. Sobrevilla dove to his right and got his right hand on it to make the impressive save on the ground ball shot.

Sobrevilla has led the Bobcats to three straight shutouts over La Sierra. Dating back to 2019, the Bobcats have scored 14 unanswered goals against the Golden Eagles. UC Merced improved to 8-3 all-time against the opponent. 

Looking ahead, UC Merced visits Westcliff University for the first time in program history on Friday, September 16 at Las Lomas Community Park in Irvine, Calif. First touch is scheduled for 4:00pm.