MERCED, Calif. – The California Pacific Conference announced that Yesenia Tijerina of the University of California, Merced women's soccer team was selected as the California Pacific Conference Offensive Player of the Week. The weekly honor is the first of her career.

Tijerina scored five goals across three matches last week to lead the Bobcats to their best start since 2020.

She scored two goals at ART U, two goals including the game-winner against Eastern Oregon at a neutral site in Idaho, and then found the back of the net again at 13^th-ranked College of Idaho.

With her two braces, Tijerina became the first Bobcat with back-to-back multi-goal games since the program's all-time leading scorer Jenn Salinger accomplished the feat in 2021.

Tijerina's brace against EOU was one for the highlight reel. Her game-winning goal was recorded in the ninth minute and then she tacked on an impressive insurance goal in the 76^th.

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She scored her goal against College of Idaho in the 62^nd minute, making her the only player in program history to own two goals against a top 13 opponent. Tijerina scored against fourth-ranked Central Methodist last year.

Despite five of the eight teams having played more matches than the Bobcats so far, Tijerina leads all Cal Pac players with six goals. The Salinas, Calif., native is ranked 17^th in the NAIA with 1.5 goals per game.

Looking ahead, UC Merced plays at Cal State East Bay on Thursday, September 19. First touch from Pioneer Stadium in Hayward, Calif., is scheduled for 7:00pm.