POMONA, Calif. - The fourth-seeded University of California, Merced women's soccer team fell 3-1 to second-seeded Cal State LA in the CCAA Championship game on Saturday afternoon at Kellogg Stadium.
The Bobcats (12-3-5) were playing in the CCAA Championship in their first ever NCAA Division II postseason eligible year. Despite the loss, UC Merced remains a NCAA Tournament hopeful. The NCAA selection show is scheduled for Monday, November 9 at 4:00pm.
Zamaya Rivera put the Bobcats ahead 1-0 in the eighth minute from 25 yards out. She scored her sixth goal of the season and her first career postseason goal after making a move to her left on her defender to create space and then burying her shot top shelf, over the leaping keeper. The goal was built from the back up, starting with a free kick from Lexi Wright after a foul. The Bobcats midfielders connected a few passes to get Rivera the ball.
Cal State LA had the equalizing tally in the 36th minute on a set piece. A free kick from in front of the Bobcats bench went far post and the Golden Eagles' Carisia Raygoza was able to knock it in.
The game remained tied 1-1 at halftime. Andrea Alvarenga Torres joined Rivera with a shot on goal in the first half, but the Bobcats were outshot 6-3 in the first 45 minutes.
Cal State LA's Celine Gehrig registered the game-winning goal in the 52nd minute with a penalty kick conversion. The Golden Eagles were given the penalty due to handball on the goal line. After video review, the referees deemed that the Bobcats denied the Golden Eagles of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. With the DOGSO ruling during the scramble in front of the net, the Bobcats were shown a red card and played a woman down the rest of the match.
The Golden Eagles doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Briana Chagolla scored off a rebound at the top of the goal area.
UC Merced managed a few good chances down the stretch but were unable to cut into the deficit. The Bobcats also earned an indirect free kick from the top left part of the box in the 84th minute but the shot from Makayla Day heading for goal was saved by the diving keeper.
Jocelin Roa and Rivera had the Bobcats other opportunities in the second half, both coming before the indirect free kick. A couple crosses also just missed the Bobcats back post.
UC Merced was outshot 14-7 overall, 9-5 on target. Cal State LA won the corner kick battle 4-0.
Alicia Lepe was credited with six saves for the Bobcats, including five saves when Cal State LA had a one-player advantage. With her performance, Lepe is up to 73 saves on the year which is the third most in program history and the most by any Bobcat in a season since Ally Lozano's 80 saves in 2018.
Alvarenga Torres, Roa, and Lizzie Ledesma played all 90 minutes.
UC Merced awaits the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, November 9 at 4:00pm PST. As of November 7, UC Merced is currently ranked sixth in the NCAA West Region Power Index. The NCAA Tournament field will include seven teams from the west region.
