Box Score RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's soccer team defeated La Sierra University 2-0 on Thursday afternoon in the California Pacific Conference opener.
With the victory, the Bobcats (4-1, 1-0) have now won eight straight California Pacific Conference openers.
Trinidad Quiroz and Stephanie Medina led the Bobcats scoring goals within three minutes of each other, including Quiroz's game-winning goal in the 24th minute. Jadyn Gong made two saves to become the first player in program history with three consecutive shutouts.
Quiroz's goal was her ninth of the year and it came immediately after the first half water break. La Sierra restarted play with a goal kick and after a couple touches, Medina half-volleyed the ball from the center circle to Quiroz, who then took just two touches before firing and scoring from 35 yards out.
Quiroz, who is ranked second in the nation with nine goals this year, is now ranked fifth in program history with 63 career points following her score. Quiroz passed Daisy Bonilla and D Covarrubias. Also of note, Quiroz is the second player in program history to score a goal in five straight games to start the year, joining Jocelyne Garcia from the 2020 campaign.
Medina followed with her first goal of the season two minutes later. The senior settled a pass from Hannah DeLay before dribbling to the top of the 18-yard box and placing her shot between the leaping goalkeeper and the crossbar.
UC Merced outshot La Sierra 21-4 in the victory, marking the Bobcats second straight match with 20+ shots while holding the opponent to five shots or less. The Bobcats placed eight of their 21 shots on goal. Quiroz recorded ten shots with four on target. Seven of her shots came in the first half. Isabella Spiva put two shots on frame.
Head coach Roman DuChateau's squad also earned four corner kicks and held the Golden Eagles without one.
Looking ahead, UC Merced faces Providence Christian College on Saturday, September 9. Kickoff is set for 12:30pm at Villa Park Field in Pasadena, Calif.
