MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team scored six unanswered goals and had a big second half to power past Pacific Union College 6-1 on Sunday afternoon at Bobcat Field.
With the win, the Bobcats (5-1-2, 3-1) remain unbeaten in 19 consecutive home games dating back to 2021.
Daniel Borges led the Bobcats with two goals and two assists on Sunday for his second consecutive six-point match. He scored or assisted on each of the Bobcats first four goals, including scoring the eventual game-winning goal in the 50th minute.
Prior to the game-winning goal, Borges set up Jesus Enriquez for the Bobcats first goal, an equalizer in the 30th minute from the top of the 18-yard box. Borges fought through three defenders in order to play it to Enriquez, who buried the one-timer for his second in goal in as many games. The two also connected for a goal on Friday night in the same part of the field. The equalizer was an answer to a PUC score just 94 seconds into the match. PUC recorded just three more shots the rest of the way, while the Bobcats scored six unanswered goals.
Like Borges and Enriquez, Knierieme also scored for the second consecutive match. Joshua Golka added two more goals within two minutes of each other to finish the Bobcats scoring. Golka scored his first in the 77th minute.
Borges' game-winner came off a Kevin Capetillo corner kick. Edwin Casillas played it first off the corner then Borges volleyed his shot into the back of the net.
In the 62nd minute, Borges and Capetillo connected passes to set up a Knierieme one-timer. The junior bended his shot into the left corner from 20 yards out. Capetillo's two assists put him at 30 for his career, passing Artemio Contreras for second in program history with 30 career assists.
Borges followed with his final score of the day just 23 seconds later, tapping in an Enriquez pass from just inside the goal box. Enriquez played Borges from outside the box after dribbling 30 yards or so down the left sideline and in towards the center.
Golka extended the Bobcats lead to 5-1 in the 77th minute as he was on the receiving end of a Joey Alvarez cross. Ashton Escamilla was also awarded an assist on the goal, sending a through ball to Alvarez. Both Alvarez and Escamilla's assists were the first of their careers. Golka tapped in the cross from five yards out.
Golka headed in his second goal following a corner kick. Cristian Gaona had the first touch, then Giovanni Lopez volleyed to Golka for the header.
Overall, UC Merced outshot PUC 21-4 on the afternoon and had seven corner kicks while holding the Pioneers without one. Borges and Golka shared match-high with four shots and they each put two in the back of the net.
Brycen Miller made two saves in the win. Angel Joaquin logged the final 15 minutes between the posts and stopped the only shot he was tasked with.
Antonio Ochoa made his collegiate debut in the win. Juan Montelongo made his UC Merced debut, while Hayden Scotti made his season debut.
26 Bobcats in total saw the field.
With the win, UC Merced improved to 15-0 all-time against Pacific Union College.
Looking ahead, UC Merced begins their Arizona road trip at Benedictine Mesa on Friday, September 22 in Mesa, Ariz. First touch from Legacy – Bell Bank Park on field #16 is scheduled for 8:30pm.
