MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team has earned their seventh consecutive berth to the national tournament. The Bobcats will begin their quest for the Red Banner on Thursday, November 16 against WVU Tech in the Dalton Bracket of the NAIA National Championship Opening Round in Dalton, Ga.
The winner of Thursday's match will move on to face the host and second-ranked Dalton State on Saturday.
The Bobcats are one of just six teams with an active streak of seven straight national tournament berths. Head coach Albert Martins' squad is the only team west of Missouri to accomplish that feat. The six teams include UC Merced, Columbia (Mo.), Lindsey Wilson, Missouri Valley, Rio Grande, and William Carey.
UC Merced earned its latest berth after finishing runner-up in the California Pacific Conference Tournament Championship. To finish runner-up, Roberto Ceja scored a goal with three seconds left to lead the Bobcats to a 1-0 win over Embry-Riddle in the Cal Pac Semifinals.
The Bobcats currently own a 12-3-3 record with eight shutouts. Also of note, UC Merced is 2-1-1 against teams in the 40-team national tournament with wins over Westcliff and Hope International, and a draw against Menlo College.
WVU Tech qualifies after a 3-2 penalty kick shootout win over Rio Grande in the River States Conference Tournament Championship game. The two teams played to a scoreless draw after 110 minutes prior to the PK shootout. WVU Tech enters Thursday's match with a 14-4-2 record. The Golden Bears have played in six national tournaments, this is their first since 2020.
Thursday's match will be the first ever meeting between the Bobcats and WVU Tech. It will also be the Bobcats first ever meeting against a River States Conference opponent and their third ever game played outside of the West Coast and Arizona.
The Bobcats head to the Peach State with their last national tournament win coming in 2019. UC Merced advanced to the Round of 16 that year.
Statistically, UC Merced ranks 31st in the NAIA with 48 goals and is 24th with 16.7 shots per game. The Bobcats are 24th with eight shutouts. Cal Pac Newcomer of the Year Daniel Borges leads the squad with 13 goals. All-Cal Pac First team selections Xavier Barajas, Michael De La Cruz, and goalkeeper Brycen Miller lead the defense. Barajas has also contributed on the attack with three goals and five assists.
The 2023 NAIA National Championship Second Round winners will head to Wichita, Kan. at the NAIA National Championship final site. Scheels Stryker Sports Complex will be the host for final site action from November 27 – December 4, 2023, hosted by Visit Wichita.
