MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team won its third California Pacific Conference Tournament Championship with a 2-0 win over La Sierra Saturday night on Bobcat Field. All three of the Bobcats tournament titles have come on their home pitch (2020, 2021, 2024).
The Bobcats (12-0-3) shutout was their sixth of the year and the No. 20 team in the country remains one of just three unbeaten teams in the NAIA through November 10. This marks the second time in the last five years the Bobcats finished the regular season unbeaten and went on to win the Cal Pac Tournament Championship.
The win also gives the Bobcats an automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament for the eighth consecutive season.
Daniel Borges scored both goals for UC Merced, one in each half, to lead the Bobcats to the title. Kevin Capetillo recorded an assist, and goalkeeper Angel Joaquin stopped a career-high seven shots to secure his first career postseason shutout. He saved a penalty kick in the 87th minute.
While the Bobcats won the time of possession, both teams battled throughout the match and it was La Sierra who held the advantage in shots 11-10 after 90 minutes. The physical match also saw a combined 40 fouls called, 24 against La Sierra, and 17 yellow cards were issued. La Sierra's Robert Carroll was shown two yellow cards in a five-minute stretch, giving the Bobcats a one-man advantage from the 73rd minute on.
The Bobcats immediately opened the game on the attack earning a corner kick in the opening minute, but a foul inside the box ended the early threat.
Ten minutes later, Jesus Enriquez nearly put the Bobcats on the board after he intercepted a pass that the Golden Eagles were trying to send back to their goalkeeper. He met the keeper at the top of the goal area but his shot was kick-saved by the sliding Masaya Nitta.
Nine fouls, three yellow cards, and one La Sierra shot saved by Joaquin followed Enriquez's shot before the Bobcats opened the scoring in the 27th minute.
Similar to the Bobcats first opportunity, the scoring opportunity came as the Bobcats recovered possession deep in their attacking third.
Capetillo intercepted a pass and got inside the 18-yard box before lifting a beautiful ball to Borges, who headed in the goal from eight yards out. Borges' goal extended his career-long goal scoring streak to five consecutive games. Both Borges' goal and Capetillo's assist was their third of the tournament, respectively.
A minute later, La Sierra had an equalizer opportunity. Rafeal Rivera hit the crossbar from 20 yards out and then his teammate Sean Palena's header attempt on the rebound missed wide.
UC Merced outshot La Sierra 4-0 the rest of the half, putting two on target, as they led 1-0 at intermission.
The Golden Eagles regained the advantage in shots with two early opportunities in the second half but neither were on frame.
In the 57th minute, Jaycob Walker was tripped inside the box trying to turn the corner near the end line. A foul was called and a penalty kick was granted.
Borges took the PK and buried his shot with ease to give the Bobcats a 2-0 advantage. It also marked his second straight brace and he passed Brian Chongtoua for seventh in program history with 71 career points. His 39 points and 16 goals this season are the fourth most in ever in a single season for the Bobcats.
The two teams alternated shots over the next 20 minutes with Joaquin making two saves that were key in preserving the clean sheet.
Despite the red card issued to La Sierra's Carroll in the 74th minute, the Golden Eagles remained creating opportunities in attempt to cut the deficit in half. The fourth-seeded Golden Eagles forced Joaquin to make four more saves before the final buzzer. He had to leave his feet twice, including on the penalty kick save in the 87th minute to officially secure the shutout.
Andres Alonso, Xavier Barajas, Edwin Casillas, Diego Fresquez, and Luis Villegas played all 90 minutes.
UC Merced hoisted the trophy shortly after the PK save and extended its home unbeaten streak to 31 matches dating back to 2021. The Bobcats have also won seven straight home Cal Pac Tournament games.
Up next, UC Merced will wait and see where its headed and who they will play in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. The NAIA selection show is scheduled for November 16 with the opening round match set for November 21.
