MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team extended their Bobcat Field unbeaten streak to 20 consecutive matches with a 4-0 win over Park University Gilbert on Friday night.
The Bobcats (7-1-3, 6-1-1) longest home unbeaten streak in program history dates back to the 2021 campaign.
Daniel Borges scored two goals for the Bobcats, including the eventual game-winning goal in the 13th minute off a free kick taken by Diego Fresquez. Fresquez, who took the free kick near the touch line and about ten yards north of the box, bounced the ball near the penalty marker and a running Borges beat the goalkeeper to the ball and tapped it in with his right foot.
Kevin Capetillo doubled the Bobcats lead in the 27th minute, receiving a through ball from Xavier Barajas and scoring a ground ball goal from 15 yards out. The Oakland, Calif., native got around two Buccaneer defenders before using an angle for the score. Barajas sent the through ball in from the center circle, while Brian Lua helped start the goal scoring sequence winning possession back.
Capetillo extended his point scoring streak to six games and has four goals this season. Barajas has a point in the Bobcats last two wins.
UC Merced added another goal prior to intermission courtesy of Thomas Knierieme, giving the Bobcats three first half goals for the third time this year.
Knierieme found the back of the net in the 39th minute, lining a straightaway shot from the top of the box to extend the Bobcats lead to 3-0. Capetillo played Knierieme and Luis Villegas helped get it down the field with a through ball.
Borges made it 4-0 in the 55th minute, taking a long ball from Joey Alvarez and beating his defender to the middle of the field before rocketing a shot in the goal near post.
Borges leads the Bobcats with eight goals on the year, with seven of them coming at home including two goals in three straight home games. Knierieme has four goals on Bobcat Field.
Brycen Miller logged 45 minutes in goal and combined with Angel Joaquin (2 saves) and Adrian Flores for the shutout. Flores' action marked his collegiate debut. Miller made the only save he was tasked with.
Head coach Albert Martin's team earned back-to-back shutouts for the first time this year.
UC Merced outshot Park Gilbert 17-6 overall, 9-2 on frame. Borges put three of his four shots on target with two going into the back of the net.
Barajas recorded two shots on goal and nearly extended the Bobcats lead to 5-0 in the 67th minute, while Roberto Ceja took three overall and had one saved and one blocked.
UC Merced earned six corner kicks while limiting the Bucs to three. Park Gilbert garnered two corner kicks in the middle of the second half and also earned a few free kicks near the box but were unable to score.
UC Merced's win over Park Gilbert was the first in program history. The two teams played to a draw in the only other meeting a year ago.
Up next, UC Merced will host Cal Maritime at Bobcat Field on Sunday, October 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00pm.
