COSTA MESA, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against Vanguard University on Saturday afternoon.
The result marked the Bobcats second draw of the season and UC Merced heads into CCAA play next weekend with a 1-2-2 record.
Christian Khanishian scored a goal for the third consecutive match to put the Bobcats ahead 1-0 in the 11th minute.
He scored a scissor kick goal inside the goal area that was set up by Jake Perkins and Thomas Knierieme. Perkins had room to operate down the endline and played Knierieme in the box. Knierieme took a shot that went off the crossbar and it was rebounded by Perkins, who then headed it to Khanishian for the goal to put the Bobcats up 1-0.
Knierieme had a chance to double the Bobcats lead ten minutes later on a free kick from 25 yards out but his shot was knocked down by Vanguard's wall.
Later in the half, the Bobcats earned three corner kicks in the final six minutes but none of the chances resulted in a clean shot. The first half saw nine corner kicks taken overall with Vanguard winning the corner kick battle 5-4. UC Merced's goalkeeper Abel Calvillo or his back line was the first to the ball on the majority of Vanguard's set pieces as the Bobcats kept the game at 1-0 going into intermission.
Vanguard scored the equalizer in the 64th minute. The Lions created a turnover in the midfield and then sent a ball into the box to Juan Vazquez who one-timed his shot into the back of the net from ten yards out.
No shots were recorded the rest of the match. Instead, the Bobcats were tasked with keeping the draw by having to defend four corner kicks in the final ten minutes, including three in the final four minutes. Calvillo and the Bobcats defense stood strong for the 1-1 finish.
The shot count finished at 6-6 for the entire match with Vanguard winning the corner kick battle 9-4. Knierieme and Khanishian shared match-high with two shots. Calvillo was credited with one save on the day.
The game had 27 fouls, 16 whistled against Vanguard.
Up next, UC Merced will host Cal State LA in the CCAA opener on Friday, October 3. First touch from Bobcat Field is scheduled for 7:00pm.
