ALAMEDA, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's soccer team trailed 2-0 at halftime but scored a pair of second half goals, including an 87th minute equalizer to draw 2-2 with Cal State East Bay on Friday afternoon.
With the result, the Bobcats (5-0-4, 2-0-3) remain unbeaten through nine games. The nine-match unbeaten streak is the longest at any point of the season since 2016. Also of note, Friday marked the first time since September 18, 2014 that the Bobcats earned at least a draw after trailing by two goals.
Makayla Day and Jocelin Roa provided the Bobcats offense in the comeback.
Day cut the Bobcats deficit in half in the 61st minute, launching from 35 yards out straight on for her first goal in a UC Merced uniform. Lexi Wright played the ball to Day in space, who took just one dribble before burying her shot top shelf.
Alexia Alva forced the Pioneers keeper into a diving save shortly after and then Roa missed a shot high as head coach Roman DuChateau's team continued to work at the equalizer.
Another quality scoring chance came in the 76th minute. Isabella LoForte, who earned the start in goal in her collegiate debut for the Bobcats, saved a free kick and then immediately delivered a great goal kick down the field. Sarai Fresquez took a shot that hit the post and then the rebound from Sofia Reiswig was blocked in the goal area.
Roa provided the equalizer in the 87th minute with her CCAA leading eighth goal of the year. Roa took a corner kick and played it short to Andrea Alvarenga Torres. Roa received it right back from Alvarenga Torres and took her shot from the corner of the box, bouncing her shot off the post and into the net. Roa's goal was the Bobcats latest equalizer or game-winner since a Jocelyne Garcia golden goal on March 24, 2021. Alvarenga Torres registered her CCAA leading ninth assist of the season, which is the most assists by any Bobcat since Jocelyne Garcia in 2021.
Fresquez took a shot from 35 yards out in the 88th minute that was saved.
UC Merced was outshot 13-12, but held the 7-6 advantage on shots on frame. Alva and Roa each had two shots on goal. The Bobcats defense held the Pioneers without a shot for the final 14 minutes.
LoForte collected three saves in the absence of UC Merced's all-time shutouts leader Alicia Lepe.
Lizzie Ledesma and Lexi Wright played 90 minutes for the seventh consecutive game. Alvarenga Torres and Jacqueline Tamayo logged all 90 for the fourth straight game.
UC Merced's result marked the Bobcats first ever in five all-time meetings against Cal State East Bay.
Up next, UC Merced will host Cal State San Bernardino on Sunday, October 4. First touch from Bobcat Field in Merced, Calif., is scheduled for 2:00pm.
