SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team remained unbeaten and handed UC Santa Cruz their first loss of the season with a 2-1 win over the Banana Slugs on Sunday afternoon.
With the victory, the Bobcats (5-0-2) unbeaten streak is their longest to start the regular season since the 2017 campaign. UC Santa Cruz entered the match unbeaten through nine.
Daniel Borges scored in the seventh minute off an assist from Kevin Capetillo and Andres Alonso was credited with the game-winning goal in the 23rd minute. Omar Garcia was credited with the assist on the GWG.
For Borges, he extended his point-scoring streak to seven matches with his goal and heads into the heart of California Pacific Conference play with four goals and four assists.
Capetillo's assist pulled him within one assist of tying Juan Flores for the program's all-time lead with 37 career assists.
As for the Bobcats second goal, Alonso's game-winning goal was the first of his career and Garcia's assist was his first of the year.
UC Santa Cruz cut the deficit to 2-1 prior to halftime. The Banana Slugs outshot the Bobcats 6-3 in the second half and 11-6 overall but the Bobcats stood strong in the first meeting between the two teams since 2014.
Borges led the Bobcats opportunities with two shots, both on target. All of the Bobcats six shot attempts were put on frame.
Angel Joaquin tallied four saves for the Bobcats, including three in the final 15 minutes of play.
Diego Fresquez and Alonso joined Joaquin on the pitch for all 90 minutes.
A physical match saw a combined 25 fouls called and seven yellow cards issued.
Up next, UC Merced will host La Sierra University in conference play on Thursday, October 3. First touch from Bobcat Field in Merced, Calif., is scheduled for 7:00pm.
