SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team suffered a 3-2 loss to 24th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino on Sunday afternoon on the final leg of the Southern California road trip.
Sunday's match marked the Bobcats (1-5-3, 0-3-1) third game against a Top 25 opponent this year.
Merced natives Jose Ontiveros and Carlos Miranda scored the Bobcats goals. Ontiveros' penalty kick goal tied the game 1-1 in the 26th minute, but the Bobcats trailed for the final 65 minutes of the match.
UC Merced outshot the Coyotes 15-9 and won the corner kick battle 4-2. However, CSUSB had an 8-3 shot advantage on goal. UC Merced played a man up for the final 44 minutes due to a Coyote red card for physicality after the whistle.
CSUSB opened the scoring in the 13th minute directly off a corner kick.
Ontiveros got the goal back in the 26th minute converting his PK. He stepped up to the stripe for the equalizer after being bumped from behind making a run into the 18-yard box. Ontiveros' goal was his team-high tying third of the year.
The Coyotes jumped back in front in the 32nd minute capitalizing on a UC Merced turnover in the Yotes attacking third. The Yotes connected two passes up the field and scored from the top of the goal area.
UC Merced went into intermission trailing 2-1, but outshot the Yotes 8-6.
The Bobcats then outshot CSUSB 7-3 in the second half while playing a man up following the Yotes red card. However, it was CSUSB to record the first two shots of the second half.
CSUSB extended its lead to 3-1 in the 55th minute off a rebound. The Yotes took a shot towards the post on a free kick that was saved by the diving Angel Joaquin, but Jason Danks was there and flicked the rebound into the back of the net. Danks' goal stood as the game-winner.
Miranda cut into the deficit with a rebound goal of his own a minute later. He was granted a penalty kick, and although his PK was initially saved, Miranda followed the shot and then sent it in for his second goal of the season to make it a 3-2 game.
Six different Bobcats took a shot looking for an equalizer down the stretch but no one was able to convert. UC Merced also had a couple corner kicks in the final ten minutes.
Davian Lizarraga and Omar Garcia shared match-high with three shots apiece.
Edwin Casillas and Christian Gallo played the full 90 minutes.
Abel Calvillo started between the posts for the Bobcats and recorded four saves in the first half. Joaquin made his diving save in the second half.
The physical match saw 33 fouls called. The foul count was fairly even with CSUSB being whistled for 17 and the Bobcats for 16. Four yellow cards and one red card were given in the second half.
Up next, UC Merced will host UC Santa Cruz on Wednesday, October 15. First touch from Bobcat Field is scheduled for 5:00pm.
