IRVINE, Calif. – Jesus Enriquez scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute to lead the University of California, Merced men's soccer team to a 2-1 win at Hope International University on Thursday night at OC Great Park.
The Bobcats (2-0-1) have now knocked off two previously undefeated teams this season, Jessup last Saturday night and HIU earlier tonight. Both teams entered their matchup vs. UC Merced at 3-0.
Enriquez's 85th minute game-winning goal, coming with 5:50 left on the clock, was the Bobcats latest game-winning goal in regulation since September 16 of last year.
A beauty of a goal, Enriquez headed a high ball to himself to control possession at the top of the 18-yard box and then delivered an absolute strike on the next touch past the diving keeper and into the back of the net. The goal marked his first of the season. Reigning Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Week Xavier Barajas helped set up the scoring opportunity for Enriquez after stealing possession near the center of the park and sending the ball down the field.
Kevin Capetillo scored the Bobcats first goal of the game, and his first goal of the season, in the 16th minute. Following a short HIU goal kick, the Bobcats put pressure on the Royals and quickly won possession back ultimately leading to the score. Diego Fresquez and Capetillo exchanged a couple passes before sending it wide to Michael De La Cruz, who then found Capetillo in the corner of the box. The Oakland, Calif., native buried his shot far corner. Both Fresquez and De La Cruz were credited with an assist.
Capetillo's goal pushed him ahead of Cruz Trenado for ninth in program history with 50 career points.
UC Merced recorded a season-high 15 shots on the night, outshooting the opponent 15-14. The Bobcats put seven of their 15 shots on goal. Capetillo led all players with seven shots in total, four on target. The junior hit the crossbar just over a minute after scoring his goal.
Defensively, the Bobcats blocked a couple Royals shots late in the first half and kept goalkeeper Brycen Miller from having to stop shots for the majority of the opening stanza.
Miller would go on to finish with a season-high four saves in total, including a diving save in the 65th minute. With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Miller was the first to a free kick to help protect the Bobcats lead in what would end up being the Royals final offensive opportunity.
HIU scored their lone goal of the match in the 62nd minute. It was the Bobcats first goal allowed in 2023.
Each team earned two corner kicks, with Hope earning a corner with 90 seconds left.
Los Banos native Jimmy Perkins made his first start in a UC Merced uniform on Thursday night. Perkins and the entire backline played all 90 minutes, as did Barajas. Ashton Escamilla logged 62 minutes in his UC Merced debut.
With the victory, the Bobcats extend their program-record regular-season unbeaten streak to 19 matches dating back to last year.
Looking ahead, UC Merced plays at The Master's University on Saturday, September 2. First touch from Reese Field in Santa Clarita, Calif., is scheduled for 1:00pm.
