MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team scored three first half goals and shutout Jessup University 3-0 in the 2023 home opener on Saturday night at Bobcat Field.
The Bobcats (1-0-1) earned back-to-back shutouts to start the season for the fourth time in program history. Brycen Miller and freshman Angel Joaquin combined for the shutout.
Diego Fresquez scored the Bobcats first goal of 2023 in the 10th minute on a free kick from 30 yards out. Fresquez, who scored his second career goal, picked out the far upper 90.
In the 15th minute, Thomas Knierieme doubled the Bobcats lead from the penalty marker off an assist from Jesus Enriquez. Enriquez sent his pass to Knierieme through the legs of his defender.
Daniel Borges extended the Bobcats advantage to 3-0 with a goal in his UC Merced debut. Borges got around two defenders and pulled the Warriors goalkeeper off his line before firing his ground ball shot into the back of the net. The Turlock, Calif., native is the seventh player in program history to score in his collegiate debut. Luis Villegas played Borges the ball after intercepting a Jessup pass near the midfield.
Both Knierieme and Borges are Merced College transfers.
Three of the Bobcats first four shots resulted in goals. UC Merced recorded seven shots overall, while Jessup recorded eleven.
UC Merced played down a man for the majority of the match due to a red card in the 23rd minute.
Despite that, Jessup still struggled to create clean looks and only placed three shots on goal. Jessup's busiest offensive stretch occurred in the final 20 minutes of the match when they took five of their shots and two of their four corner kicks.
Joaquin was between the posts for the second half and made both saves he was tasked with in his collegiate debut. Miller, who earned the start, stopped the only shot that came his way in the first half.
Preston Nguyen made his collegiate debut in the victory. Transfers Borges, Giovanni Lopez, and Jimmy Perkins made their UC Merced debut. Jake Perkins earned his first career start.
With the win, UC Merced extended its Bobcat Field unbeaten streak to 17 consecutive matches dating back to 2021 and their regular-season home and away unbeaten streak to 18 matches dating back to last year.
Up next, UC Merced will begin a season-long four-game road trip at Hope International University on Thursday, August 31. First touch is scheduled for 7:00pm
