MERCED, Calif. – The 23rd-ranked University of California, Merced men's soccer team scored three first half goals on their way to a dominant 5-1 win over Soka University of America on Friday night at Bobcat Field.
The Bobcats (8-0-3, 4-0-1) are now one of just three teams in the country unbeaten through at least eleven games, joining top-ranked Dalton State and eleventh-ranked Milligan.
Also of note, UC Merced is unbeaten in 28 consecutive home matches dating back to 2021 and have scored at least one goal in 50 straight home games dating back to 2018.
The Bobcats also clinched their eleventh consecutive berth in November's California Pacific Conference Championships hosted on Bobcat Field.
Seven Bobcats had a goal contribution in Friday night's victory with three players recording a three-point game.
UC Merced jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute when Kevin Capetillo rebounded an Omar Garcia shot and scored from eight yards out for his first Cal Pac goal of the season.
Garcia scored a goal of his own, the eventual game-winning goal and his first goal of the season, in the 22nd minute. Capetillo and Jesus Enriquez were credited with assists on the play as the duo teamed up on a cross to get the ball to Garcia in front of the back post. Garcia tapped it in. Capetillo and Enriquez are up to five and two assists on the season, respectively.
Diego Fresquez converted a penalty kick in the 34th minute for his first goal of the conference slate, putting the Bobcats ahead 3-0. Fresquez took the PK after Andres Alonso was fouled just outside the goal area, which occurred immediately after his first shot bounced off the post right back to him.
UC Merced nearly added a fourth goal in the first half but Lions keeper Elm Pentinat made a pair of impressive diving saves on a Fresquez and Capetillo attempt.
Head coach Albert Martins' squad outshot Soka 16-2 in the first half and won the corner kick battle 5-2.
The shot and corner kick margin grew wider in the second half as the Bobcats continued to apply pressure. Although the Bobcats didn't score in the first 35 minutes of the stanza, the Bobcats recorded eight more shots and four corner kicks. Soka didn't manage a single scoring opportunity.
In the 82nd minute, freshman forward Carlos Miranda scored his fourth goal of the season to extend the Bobcats lead to 4-0. A series of passes led to Borges playing a through ball to Miranda, who had a step on his defender and then worked around the goalkeeper for the score. Borges' assist was his team-leading sixth of the year.
Borges also finalized the scoring with his team-leading ninth goal of the year in the closing minute. He received the ball at the center line and then dribbled all the way into the box, splitting two defenders, and then slotted his shot into a tight window beating the keeper near post. The Turlock, Calif., has two or more goal contributions in three of the last four games.
UC Merced has scored at least five goals in back-to-back home games for the first time since 2018.
Soka scored a goal prior to Borges' for their lone goal of the match. It was their only shot of the second half.
Overall, UC Merced outshot Soka 27-3 including 11-1 on target. Borges and Capetillo took seven and six shots, respectively. Capetillo had a match-high three on frame.
Angel Joaquin logged all 90 minutes between the posts to earn his eighth win of the season.
Xavier Barajas and Alonso played all 90 minutes in the field.
UC Merced handed Soka it's first loss in conference action and now own a 7-4 record including a 5-1 mark at home all-time against the Lions.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will host Simpson University in the regular season home finale on Thursday, October 25. First touch from Bobcat Field is scheduled for 7:00pm.
