MESA, Ariz. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team ended square with Benedictine University Mesa on Friday night, playing to a 1-1 draw at Legacy Sports Complex to earn a point on the road.
The Bobcats (5-1-3, 3-1-1) draw came despite playing a man down for the final 70 minutes of action. With the result, the Bobcats remain unbeaten against BenU in seven all-time meetings.
Kevin Capetillo netted an equalizer in the 68th minute to put the Bobcats in a position for the draw. His goal was an equalizer to a BenU penalty kick in the 20th minute. The Redhawks were granted a penalty kick due to a UC Merced handball right in front of the goal that prevented a BenU shot from going in. BenU's Pelaelo Mahloko converted the penalty kick.
Capetillo's goal was assisted by Diego Fresquez and Roberto Ceja. Ceja played Capetillo in the center of the box and Capetillo rocketed a shot from straightaway past the diving keeper and into the back of the net.
Following the goal, neither team recorded a shot for the next 15 minutes but each team had an opportunity inside the final five minutes.
In the 88th minute, BenU was granted a free kick near the touchline adjacent to the center circle. After a couple different heads from each team found the ball, BenU got a shot off that UC Merced goalkeeper Brycen Miller saved and hit over the crossbar. He then punched out the ensuing corner kick to stop the threat.
The Bobcats had a shot blocked from 20 yards out in the final seconds.
UC Merced outshot BenU 13-4 in the win, 10-4 on target. Prior to going a man down, the Bobcats recorded four early shots and two corner kicks. Head coach Albert Martins' team still managed to get off nine more shots and three more corner kicks the rest of the way all while limiting the opponents opportunities.
The Bobcats draw was their third of the year, first in Cal Pac play.
Up next, UC Merced will play at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Sunday, September 24. First touch from Varsity Field in Prescott, Ariz., is scheduled for 3:30pm.
