MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's soccer team has announced its first NCAA Division II schedule, which begins at home on September 5 against Simon Fraser.

UC Merced will play eight games at Bobcat Field overall as part of an 18-match schedule.

Before the official season gets underway, UC Merced will visit Dominican for a scrimmage on August 22 and host Menlo College for a final tune-up on August 30.

Following the season opener against back-to-back NCAA Tournament qualifier Simon Fraser, the Bobcats will travel to Monmouth, Ore., for matches against Western Oregon (Sept. 11) and Central Washington (Sept. 13).

The Bobcats return home to host Fresno Pacific under the Bobcat Field lights on September 16. Next, UC Merced makes its first of three Southern California road trips this season to take on Westmont (Sept. 22) and Azusa Pacific (Sept. 24). Westmont earned a PacWest Tournament berth in its first year of eligibility last year, while APU made its first NCAA Tournament since 2016.

September concludes with the first ever regular-season match at Stanislaus State (Sept. 28).

UC Merced opens the CCAA schedule at home on October 3 against perennial CCAA Tournament qualifier Cal State LA. The Bobcats host Cal State East Bay (Oct. 5) two days later.

The Bobcats follow with road matches at Cal State Dominguez Hills (Oct. 10), Cal State San Bernardino (Oct. 12), and San Francisco State (Oct. 17).

Three of the next four contests are at home beginning with the 2024 NCAA Division II national champion Cal Poly Pomona on October 19. Chico State (Oct. 26) and Cal Poly Humboldt (Oct. 31) pay their visits to Bobcat Field, while the Bobcats will head to the Central Coast to play at Cal State Monterey Bay on October 24.

UC Merced will play at Cal State San Marcos on November 2 before returning home for the regular season finale against Stanislaus State on November 6.

Tickets for the 2025 season will be available for purchase later this summer.

UC Merced, currently in its second year of a three-year transition period, will be fully eligible for conference and NCAA postseason play in the 2026 season. The CCAA has had a different tournament champion each of the last five years.