COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of California, Merced women's soccer team concluded its season with a 4-1 loss to #4 Central Methodist University in the NAIA National Championship Second Round on Saturday afternoon.
The Bobcats finish the year with a program-record 16 wins and a 16-3 record overall. The NAIA National Championship Opening Round appearance was the first in program history.
UC Merced led 1-0 following a Yesenia Tijerina goal in the 50th minute, her fifth goal of the year. The junior received the ball in the corner of the box from Jennavieve Ordonez before delivering a left-footed strike across her body into the back of the net. Ordonez was credited with the assist and finished the campaign tied for first on the Bobcats with five assists.
The Bobcats held the lead until a Central Methodist equalizer in the 65th minute. Central got behind the defense and then scored on a ground ball shot from 20 yards out. Central headed in a corner kick a minute later for the lead and then tacked on two more goals in the final ten minutes to help secure a national tournament win for the fifth consecutive season. Kirstine Lykke scored two goals and had an assist to lead the Eagles.
The Bobcats threatened to cut into the deficit after earning set pieces, including a corner kick and a free kick from just outside the box while trailing 2-1, but neither opportunity resulted in a goal. The Bobcats corner kick would end up turning into a counter attack and a third goal for CMU.
Central Methodist outshot UC Merced 13-10 over the 90 minutes, 8-7 on goal.
A scoreless first half saw the two teams combine for nine shots, with six on goal and one hitting the crossbar.
Jadyn Gong was responsible for the games first couple of key defensive plays, punching a CMU shot over the crossbar and then stopping the ensuing corner kick just five minutes into the match. Gong, who finished with four saves, and head coach Roman DuChateau's team stood strong stopping multiple CMU set pieces in the first half.
The Bobcats first shot of the game came in the 20th minute from Quiroz but it was saved. She then had a shot saved from ten yards out just before halftime. Quiroz would up with seven total shots while putting four of them on frame.
Other notables include two corner kicks from each team and 15 combined fouls.
Preeya Singh, Katy Flores, and Quiroz played all 90 minutes for the Bobcats.
Isabella Spiva played in her 80th career game and recorded a shot on goal. The Merced, Calif., native finished her career as one of just two players in program history to play in at least 80 games.
The Bobcats 16 total wins are three more than the previous best mark set in 2015. Stay up to date with the California Pacific Conference Tournament Champions in the offseason by following UC Merced women's soccer on Twitter @ucmercedwsoc and Instagram @ucmerced_wsoc, and by visiting ucmercedbobcats.com.
