MERCED, Calif. – Felipe Lopez converted a penalty kick in the 30th minute and Angel Joaquin registered a clean sheet to lead the University of California, Merced men's soccer team to its third straight win, 1-0 over Menlo College on a rainy Thursday night on Bobcat Field.
With the win, the Bobcats (7-5-3, 6-5) remain in control of their own postseason fate with only one regular season-game to go. The Bobcats can clinch a spot in November's CCAA Tournament with a win on Saturday vs. Cal State San Marcos.
UC Merced's three-match winning streak is the longest since 2024.
Lopez's game-winning goal was his team-leading second of the year. The Delhi, Calif., buried his ground ball shot to the right of the keeper for his third goal overall.
The Bobcats earned the penalty kick after a great ball into the box by Christian Khanishian. Jaycob Walker was on the receiving end of the delivery, and after his first touch the Oaks defender tripped and took out Walker's legs from behind.
The goal marked the Bobcats first penalty conversion of the season.
Angel Joaquin came up with three saves to earn the win and notch his second shutout of the season. His first two saves came with the game still scoreless, including a diving save in the 11th minute on an Oaks shot from 25 yards out.
Joaquin made his most impressive save of the night with 90 seconds left, another diving save that included a redirect off a Menlo shot from the top of the box.
Along with his sixth career shutout, Joaquin tied David Hernandez and Heriberto Diaz for second in program history with 20 career wins.
Joaquin and the Bobcats defense also had to stand strong through nine Menlo corner kicks.
Menlo outshot the Bobcats 11-7 on the night, but each team had three shots on goal.
Khanishian and Omar Garcia joined Lopez with a shot on frame.
Khanishian's opportunity came in the eighth minute following a Garcia ball over the top from 50 yards away. Khanishian fired off a hop inside the corner of the box but the Oaks keeper made an impressive save ten yards off his line.
Garcia took a strong volley shot off an Oaks clearance attempt from the top of the box, though it was saved on a hop. Garica had three shots overall.
Garcia, Juan Lara, Braxton Fleming, Eduardo Zamudio, and Nacio Gutierrez played all 90 minutes. Lara has played all 90 minutes six times in the last seven matches.
Matthew Aldana earned his first career start against his former team.
UC Merced and Menlo battled through a rainy night that saw the start time get pushed back an hour and a half due to lightning strikes in the area. Rain was persistent throughout the first half, while letting up towards the end of the game.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will host Cal State San Marcos in the regular season finale on Saturday, October 24. First touch from Bobcat Field is set for 2:00pm. Saturday is also Senior Day.
