MERCED, Calif. – Merced native and freshman Danny Gaona scored in the ninth minute as the University of California, Merced men's soccer team battled Dominican to a 1-1 draw in the 2026 season opener Saturday night at Bobcat Field.
Gaona becomes the seventh Bobcat in program history to score in their collegiate debut, first since 2024. He delivered a strike from 25 yards out on top of the penalty arc to put the Bobcats up 1-0. Also of note, he earned the start and is the Bobcats first freshman to start the season opener since 2023.
Jaycob Walker started the goal scoring sequence by winning possession back in the Bobcats attacking third, and then Gaona played a quick give-and-go with Davian Lizarraga to get deeper towards the goal. The ball would become loose, and Dominican attempted to clear it, but Lizarraga was able to alter the clearance and the ball deflected right off Lizarraga to an unmarked Gaona at the top of the penalty arc.
Dominican scored the equalizer in the 54th minute with an Adrian Garcia goal from nearly the same exact spot Gaona scored from. The Penguins goal was quickly built from the back up with a strong long ball played over the top by a Penguin center back.
With the draw, the Bobcats remain unbeaten in their last four season openers dating back to 2023 and in six of their last seven since the 2020 campaign.
Saturday night's shot count finished 10-9 in favor of UC Merced and the Bobcats put five on frame compared to the Penguins four. Gaona had two shots on goal, one in each half.
The Bobcats put the pressure on Dominican from the first touch with two corners and three shots in the opening ten minutes, capped by Gaona's goal. Eduardo Zamudio forced the Dominican keeper into a diving save in the sixth minute.
Omar Garcia and Ezekiel Cruz accounted for the Bobcats shots on goal in the second half.
Juan Lara, Christian Khanishian, and Garcia played the full 90 minutes for the Bobcats with goalkeeper Abel Calvillo. Calvillo was credited with two saves.
Erlin Gomez earned his first career start.
Cosumnes River College transfers Cruz and Michael Villasenor, and Menlo College transfer Matthew Aldana made their UC Merced debut.
Up next, UC Merced will begin a three-game road trip at Westminster in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00pm PST.
