ROCKLIN, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team knocked off Jessup University 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Field.
With the win, the Bobcats (2-0-1) remain unbeaten in six all-time road matches against the opponent.
Diego Fresquez scored in the 14th minute, while Roberto Ceja broke a 1-1 tie with the game-winning goal just before halftime.
Fresquez's goal was his second in as many games and he was responsible for the games first goal tapping a rebound into the empty net after an attempt from Daniel Borges. Borges pulled the keeper off his line and got down to the end line before using an angle to put his shot near the far post. It hit the post before Fresquez scored the goal. Borges' assist was also his second in the last two matches.
Jessup tied the game 90 seconds later when Tariq Alabi found the back of the net from 20 yards out.
Both keepers stopped the next shot they were tasked with and then scoring opportunities slowed down until the closing few minutes of the first half.
Jake Perkins nearly doubled the lead off a cross from freshman Jaycob Walker in the 44th minute, but a Jessup Warrior defender managed to save the goal and instead cleared it out of bounds.
UC Merced then scored on the ensuing throw in and Perkins was again in on the action. The Los Banos, Calif., native received the ball and used a series of touches to set up a sliding Ceja just inside the goal box to give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead. Ceja's goal and Perkins' assist marked their first of the season, respectively. Perkins' assist was also the first of his career.
With the goal, Ceja moved ahead of Cruz Trenado for eighth all-time in program history with 20 career goals.
The 2-1 score held the rest of the match.
UC Merced threatened in the second half with two corner kicks and a shot each from Perkins, Borges, and Christian Khanishian. Jessup got off four shots and two corner kicks.
With 90 seconds left, the Bobcats cleared Jessup's final corner kick of the match out to Borges in the center circle. Borges, looking to add an insurance goal, dribbled up the rest of the field and got off a shot from 20 yards out but it was saved by the Warriors keeper.
Jessup had a counterattack that Salvador Plancarte headed away helping seal the win.
UC Merced outshot Jessup 9-7 overall throughout the match.
Jessup committed 14 fouls compared to the Bobcats seven. Each team was issued three cautions.
Center back Andres Alonso played all 90 minutes and has logged every minute this season.
Up next, UC Merced returns to Bobcat Field to host first-time opponent Stanton University on Thursday, September 19 at 7:00pm.
