ROCKLIN, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's soccer team secured a 2-0 shutout at Jessup on Monday afternoon to close out nonconference play.
With the win, the Bobcats (3-0-1) remain unbeaten through four matches for the third consecutive year. The Bobcats also extended their unbeaten streak against PacWest opponents to eight matches dating back to 2022.
Jocelin Roa scored her CCAA leading fifth goal of the year and her second game-winning goal in the 12th minute, while Jacqueline Tamayo doubled the Bobcats lead from 40 yards out in the 81st minute.
UC Merced controlled the match from start to finish and outshot Jessup 13-1, 6-1 on target. While the Bobcats have allowed four shots or less in every game this year, Monday marked the first time since October 26, 2024 holding an opponent to just one shot.
Alicia Lepe made the only save she was tasked with to tie the CCAA lead with three shutouts in the early goings of the season.
Roa opened the scoring following a series of passes capped by an assist from Alexia Alva. The goal was quickly built up from the backline and then a touch each from Alva and Gabby Gonzales in the attacking zone got to an open Roa who slipped behind the defense at the top of the box and beat the sliding keeper. Alva's assist was her team leading fourth of the campaign.
Roa held match-high with four shots overall, two of which were on goal. Her second shot on goal came in the 80th minute, a cross body shot that forced the keeper to make a diving save.
A minute later, Jessup's keeper had the ball again and her attempt to throw the ball up the field was intercepted by Tamayo.
Tamayo wasted no time. Her first touch directly off the goalkeeper throw was a blast into the back of the net from 40 yards out to put an exclamation point on the Monday afternoon outing. Tamayo's goal was her second in a Bobcat uniform and ninth overall in her career.
Roa hit the crossbar a few minutes later in an attempt to add on and Zamaya Rivera forced the keeper into a diving save shortly after that.
UC Merced's eleven goals through four games are the Bobcats most since the 2020 season.
Defensively, center backs Lizzie Ledesma and Lexi Wright played all 90 minutes for the second straight game. Andrea Alvarenga Torres and Tamayo also played the full 90 for the second straight outing.
Gonzales recorded her first career start.
Up next, UC Merced will host Cal State Dominguez Hills in the CCAA and home opener on Friday, September 18. First touch from Bobcat Field in Merced is set for 5:00pm.
