MERCED, Calif. – Trinidad Quiroz extended her goal scoring streak to a program-record eight games and the University of California, Merced women's soccer team tied its program-record shutout streak earning their sixth consecutive clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Pacific Union College on Sunday afternoon at Bobcat Field.
The Bobcats (7-1, 4-0) shutout streak ties the program record originally set in the 2016 campaign. Also of note, with the victory, the Bobcats start 4-0 in Cal Pac play for the third time in the last four years.
Head coach Roman DuChateau's team dominated possession from start to finish, recording 14 shots and seven corner kicks while holding PUC without a single scoring opportunity for the full 90 minutes. It was the first time this season the Bobcats held their opponent without a shot and the third time overall under the leadership of DuChateau.
Defenders Baleigh Zamudio, Zitlali Herrera, Preeya Singh, as well as defensive midfielder Katy Flores logged all 90 minutes. Jadyn Gong also played 90 minutes between the posts for her fifth solo shutout.
Quiroz and Makena Jensen provided the offense with a goal each. Quiroz scored the game-winning goal in the 50th minute with Jensen doubling the advantage in the 86th.
Quiroz's goal was her 12th of the year and she has scored in all eight games this season, breaking Emily Burnett's previous record from 2018 for the most consecutive games with a goal. Quiroz was on the receiving end of a cross from Yesenia Tijerina and took a couple touches near the left corner of the goal box to create a clean shot, placing her goal near post. Tijerina's assist was her first of the season.
In addition, Quiroz passed Jocelyne Garcia for fourth in program history with 30 career goals.
Jensen scored her first goal in a Bobcat uniform in the final five minutes of the game off a corner kick. Herrera, who got the initial header on Trinity Dunbar's corner, and Jennavieve Ordonez earned their first assists of the season on the goal.
Quiroz had a shot on goal earlier in the match that resulted in the first of seven UC Merced corner kicks following a diving save by the Pioneers goalkeeper. Later in the first half, Tijerina lasered a shot that was saved by Jayleen Casillas and then banged off the crossbar and out towards the endline. PUC recovered before it resulted in another corner.
Casillas saved a penalty kick in the 54th minute. The Bobcats nearly had another goal shortly after, however it was taken back as the home team was whistled offsides.
With the win, the Bobcats improved to 5-0-1 all-time against PUC.
Spiva played in her 70th career game on Sunday, moving into a four-way tie for fifth in program history in all-time games played. Spiva joins Roxy Barragan, Abbie-Leigh Meneses, and Niccole Salm. Spiva has played in 68 consecutive games.
Up next, 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 6:30pm.
