MERCED, Calif. – The 21st-ranked University of California, Merced men's soccer team scored three goals in each half to earn a convincing 6-0 win over Simpson University in the regular-season home finale on Thursday night at Bobcat Field.
The Bobcats (9-0-3, 5-0-1) remain one of just three unbeaten teams in the NAIA and remain unbeaten in 29 consecutive home matches dating back to 2021.
Additionally, UC Merced's 12-match unbeaten streak overall ties the second longest in program history.
Freshman Jaycob Walker had a brace for the Bobcats and scored his first career goal in the fifth minute. Jesus Enriquez and Daniel Borges tallied a three-point night with a goal and an assist. Edwin Casillas and Joey Alvarez also scored a goal for UC Merced.
UC Merced outshot Simpson 18-2 on the night, 8-0 on target. The two shots allowed marked the Bobcats fewest shots allowed all season. Simpson's two shots were also the fewest the Red Hawks have taken since August 24, 2023.
The Bobcats clean sheet was their fourth of the season.
Walker opened the scoring in the fifth minute rebounding an Enriquez shot and blasting it into the net. Kevin Capetillo sent a beautiful through ball in to get the Bobcats scoring chance started.
UC Merced remained dangerous and doubled its lead in the 27th minute when Diego Fresquez found the head of Enriquez on a corner kick. The goal gave Enriquez his first three-point match of the year, while Fresquez's assist was his fourth.
The Bobcats next goal came in the 41st minute when Borges played a ground ball cross to Walker in the middle of the 18-yard box and the freshman finished with ease for his first career brace.
Head coach Albert Martins' squad led 3-0 at intermission holding a 7-2- shot advantage. The Bobcats then tacked on three more goals and outshot the Red Hawks 11-0 the rest of the way.
Casillas got the second half scoring started in the 54th minute turning a Red Hawk clear attempt into a 4-0 lead. He took one touch and then fired a shot from the top of the box for his second goal of 2024.
Down the stretch, Borges was tripped up in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. He then stepped up to the spot and converted in the 80th minute. Borges, who has tallied at least three points in three of the Bobcats last four matches, is now up to a team-high ten goals and seven assists. Of note, he moved into a tie with Marcus DeCouto for sixth in program history with 23 career goals.
Alvarez finished the scoring with his first goal of the season six minutes later as Isaias Ruiz did a great job playing him the ball in the corner of the goal area. Ruiz earned his first career assist.
Angel Joaquin and Adrian Flores combined for the Bobcats shutout. Joaquin earned the win playing the first 74 minutes. Flores made his season debut.
Andres Alonso played a team-high 70 minutes. Thirty players saw action for Martins.
Xavier Barajas earned his 65th career start which is tied with Juan Flores for the sixth most in program history.
Up next, UC Merced will play at Cal Maritime in the regular season finale on Saturday, October 26. First touch from Bodnar Field in Vallejo, Calif., is scheduled for 2:30pm. A win will give UC Merced it's first share of the Cal Pac regular season title since 2019.
