MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's soccer team scored three second-half goals and earned a 3-0 shutout victory over Menlo College on a stormy Thursday night on Bobcat Field.
With the win, the Bobcats (8-2-5, 5-2-4) remain in control of their own postseason destiny with two regular-season matches remaining. UC Merced can officially clinch a spot in November's CCAA Tournament with a win on Saturday coupled with a Stanislaus State loss.
Andrea Alvarenga Torres broke UC Merced's single-season assists record in the victory with her eleventh assist of 2026. Alvarenga Torres beat Jenn Salinger's record of ten assists from the 2021 season. The Sanger, Calif., native leads the CCAA with her eleven assists and is tied for fifth in the nation.
The Bobcats three goals on Thursday ties their highest scoring output in a CCAA game. Also of note, the Bobcats dominated the 90 minutes and outshot Menlo 25-4, 8-4 on goal. The Bobcats 25 shots are their most in a match since October 26, 2024.
Freshman Zamaya Rivera led the way with her second career brace, while Sarai Fresquez added to the second-half scoring outburst with her first career goal. All three goals came in the first 13 minutes of the second half.
Rivera is UC Merced's first freshman with at least two multi-goal games since the program's all-time leading scorer Jenn Salinger accomplished the feat in 2017. Overall, Rivera is just the fourth freshman in program history with multiple multi-goal outings (Salinger/Claudia Diaz/Ashley Bennett).
The game was scoreless at halftime. After 32 minutes of play in the first half, the game was delayed for nearly 100 minutes due to lightning strikes in the area. Though the lightning stopped, the rain continued the rest of the night. Just seconds on the restart of play, Rivera scored on a corner kick however Menlo College asked for a video review and the goal was taken off the board due to offsides.
Rivera's game-winning goal then came in the 48th minute.
The game-winning goal came in a sequence in which the Bobcats peppered Menlo College with three shots in a seven-second span. After Jocelin Roa and Fresquez had their shots batted down by Menlo's goalkeeper, the ball came out to Jacqueline Tamayo at the penalty marker and she played it a few yards up to Rivera at the top of the goal area. Rivera took a touch, spun and fired between a pair of defenders and beat the diving keeper. Tamayo's assist was her second of the season.
Alvarenga Torres became UC Merced's single-season assists record holder in the 55th minute on a corner kick. The Sanger, Calif., delivered her corner kick to the front post for Rivera, and Rivera had no trouble heading the delivery into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
Fresquez scored her first career goal and gave the Bobcats a 3-0 lead in the 58th minute, capping the Bobcats scoring. Roa sent a through ball approximately 50 yards up the field to Fresquez, who outraced the defense and pulled the goalkeeper way off her line. Fresquez took three dribbles to get around the keeper and then buried her shot from 15 yards away. Roa, the CCAA's leading goal scorer, registered her second assist of the season.
Fresquez held match-high with a career-high five shots, two on goal. Roa and Rivera had four assists each.
Alicia Lepe made four saves for her eighth shutout of the season and 27th of her career. Lepe also became the second player in program history to eclipse 4,000 career minutes played, joining Maggie Morales (2013-16).
After an Oaks shot in the 12th minute, the Bobcats didn't allow another Menlo attempt until the 62nd minute.
Center back Emilie Ruiz Mendez was a key part of the defense and played all 90 minutes in her first career start.
Sydnee Dobbel made her collegiate debut in the 82nd minute.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will host Cal State San Marcos for Senior Day on Saturday, October 24th. First touch on Bobcat Field is scheduled for 11:00am.
