MERCED, Calif. – After facing a 2-1 halftime deficit, the University of California, Merced men's soccer team came back to defeat La Sierra University 3-2 on Thursday night at Bobcat Field.

With the victory, the Bobcats (6-0-2, 2-0) are now unbeaten in eight consecutive matches to start the year and are unbeaten in 26 consecutive home matches dating back to 2021. Also of note, the Bobcats are 2-0 in Cal Pac play for the fifth time in the last six years.

Daniel Borges and Edwin Casillas provided the Bobcats second half goals in the comeback, including Casillas' game-winning goal in the 72^nd minute heading in a corner kick taken by Diego Fresquez. Casillas' goal was the first of his career. Borges scored the equalizer in the 67^th minute.

Borges also converted a penalty kick in the fifth minute to open the games scoring. He was dangerous early and got fouled inside the box and was elected to take the PK that contributed to his first brace of the season. With his performance, Borges extended his point-scoring streak to eight matches.

UC Merced pressured the Golden Eagles back line all night long and outshot the opponent 21-9 and won the corner kick battle 7-2.

Head coach Albert Martins' squad took the first six shots before La Sierra managed to get their first shot off. Their first three shots didn't make it through the Bobcats defense, but their first one that did in the 29^th minute was saved by Angel Joaquin.

Following the save, UC Merced got back on the attack and nearly got their second goal on a couple instances with Carlos Miranda and Kevin Capetillo providing the threats.

However, La Sierra would be the team to score next and the Golden Eagles Rafael Rivera scored off a free kick in the 35^th minute that was misdirected after hitting the Bobcats wall.

Then in the 43^rd minute, the Golden Eagles earned another set piece with Rivera and took a 2-1 lead. Rivera attempted to score directly off the free kick from five yards outside the corner of the 18-yard box, but again it ricocheted off the Bobcats defenders and it found the head of Rivera's teammate for a goal.

The 2-1 halftime deficit marked the third time the Bobcats trailed this season and in all three instances the Bobcats came back to win or tie.

Each team traded shots on goal to start the second half and then the Bobcats started putting serious pressure on La Sierra, outshooting the opponent 9-1 the rest of the way.

UC Merced pulled even in the 66^th minute when a quick series of passes led to a Borges goal. Capetillo was credited with the assist on the score, playing Borges near the top of the goal area and pulling the keeper off his line that allowed Borges to just tap the pass in. Capetillo's assist was his third of the season and 37^th of his career, tying Juan Flores for the program's all-time lead in assists.

Five minutes later the Bobcats earned a corner kick. Fresquez took the corner and served it back post to Casillas, who headed home the game-winning goal.

Joaquin then secured the win between the posts with another save to give him two saves on the night. Casillas, Andres Alonso, and Xavier Barajas played all 90 minutes.

Also of note, the physical match saw a combined 27 fouls and six cautions. UC Merced was whistled for 15 fouls, but the Golden Eagles were issued four yellow cards.

UC Merced improved to 9-4 all-time against La Sierra, including 7-1 at home.

Up next, UC Merced will host Providence Christian College for Senior Night on Saturday, October 5. A Senior Night ceremony will take place prior to the 7:00pm scheduled first touch on Bobcat Field in Merced, Calif.