SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Trinidad Quiroz scored for the third consecutive game to lead the University of California, Merced women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Westmont on Monday afternoon at Thorrington Field.
With the win, the Bobcats (3-0-2) are unbeaten through five games for the first time since 2020. Also of note, UC Merced is one of just three teams in the NCAA Division II West Region unbeaten through five along with Cal Poly Pomona and Dominican.
Quiroz's goal gave her 100 career points in her UC Merced career, joining Jenn Salinger as the only player in program history to accomplish that feat.
Her goal to hit the milestone came in the 33rd minute. She received the ball 20 yards from goal and took her defender one-on-one into the corner of the goal area, shifting directions quickly and creating enough space to put a clean shot into the back of the net. The play started when Sonya Gregoris intercepted a pass in Westmont's attacking third and sent the ball 50 yards down the field to Quiroz.
Alicia Lepe recorded her fourth shutout of the season as she saved both opportunities Westmont put on frame. Both saves came in the first half, one on a corner kick. With her stellar play, the Bobcats have four clean sheets within the first five matches of the year for the first time since 2015.
Both teams finished with eleven shots. The Bobcats put six on frame compared to the Warriors two.
Quiroz had all three of her shots on frame and set the tone early with a shot in the first ten seconds of the match. She forced the keeper to leave her feet for a save in the seventh minute.
Outside of Quiroz in the first half, Lexi Wright took two shots and Jariah Indalecio was the target of a few balls served into the box. Indalecio earned her first career start. The Bobcats were whistled offsides on a solid opportunity midway through the half.
UC Merced's offensive opportunities were limited in the second half but head coach Roman DuChateau's squad stood strong defensively.
Macy Max broke up a couple opportunities down the stretch and Lepe left the goal area to make a play while absorbing contact. The Bobcats also had to defend a free kick in the 83rd minute 30 yards away from goal. Westmont's shot attempt hit Hannah DeLay on the wall and then Liliana Johnson was able to clear it.
Max and Preeya Singh played all 90 minutes. Isis Cosio made her collegiate debut in the first half.
The physical match saw 24 fouls called between the two teams, 13 against Westmont.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will play at Azusa Pacific on Wednesday, September 24. First touch from Cougar Soccer Complex in Azusa, Calif., is scheduled for 5:00pm.
