SAN FRANCISCO – Yesenia Tijerina recorded a brace and freshmen Vivianna Bravo and Alexia Alva scored their first career goals as the University of California, Merced women's soccer team dominated Academy of Art 4-0 on Tuesday afternoon.
With the win, the Bobcats start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2020 and for the third time in program history. Both of the Bobcats wins this season have come against NCAA Division II teams.
UC Merced outshot ART U 20-5 in the victory, including 12-3 on goal. The Bobcats ability to create scoring opportunities resulted in the highest goals output against a NCAA Division II team in program history.
Bravo was responsible for the game-winning goal in the 16th minute tapping in a pass from fellow defender Makena Jensen. The San Jose, Calif., native becomes one of just two UC Merced freshmen with a game-winning goal since 2020.
Tijerina doubled the Bobcats lead with her first of two goals in the 20th minute, dribbling around the keeper to extend her goal scoring streak to three games dating back to last year.
Tijerina, the 2023 All-Cal Pac First Team selection, pushed the Bobcats lead to 3-0 in the 56th minute to complete her second career brace.
Kaeley Cariglio was credited with an assist on Tijerina's first goal, while Katy Flores tallied the point on the second score. Cariglio also held match-high for the second straight outing with five shots.
UC Merced put the finishing touches on the day when Alva found the back of the net in 79th minute unassisted for her first career goal.
Defensively, Jadyn Gong earned her first start of the season and posted the clean sheet while making three saves. She was the only Bobcat to play all 90 minutes registering her 17th career shutout.
Zitlali Herrera and Jensen logged a field-best 83 minutes.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will play Eastern Oregon University in a neutral site match in Caldwell, ID., on Friday, September 13 at 2:00pm PST. College of Idaho will host the match, who the Bobcats will then play on Sunday.
