LOS ANGELES – The University of California, Merced women's soccer team earned another point against a nationally-ranked opponent with a 1-1 draw against No. 14 Cal State LA on Sunday afternoon at University Stadium.
With the tie, the Bobcats (5-0-3) are unbeaten through eight games for the first time in program history.
Both of Sunday's goals came in the first two minutes of each half. Cal State LA struck first 92 seconds into the match, cleaning up a loose ball inside a crowded goal area after a corner kick.
Jacqueline Tamayo brought the Bobcats level in the 47th minute with a blast from the top of the box. Andrea Alvarenga Torres registered her CCAA leading eighth assist of the year with the score, laying the ball off to Tamayo whose first touch was her strike that lasered past the diving keeper near post. Tamayo's goal was her second of the year. Sofia Reiswig also helped create the scoring opportunity in her collegiate debut with a long run down the right sideline before sending it into the box.
The Bobcats outshot Cal State LA 12-11 on the day, including 6-3 on goal.
Alvarenga Torres recorded two shots on goal, including one directly off a free kick in the 42nd minute and then a near game-winner in the 89th minute that was stopped by the diving keeper.
Zamaya Rivera nearly had a walk-off winner for UC Merced as time expired, but her header attempt from the top of the goal area following a delivery from Lexi Wright missed high.
Sarai Fresquez also created a quality chance in the second half but her shot was saved.
In the first half, Makayla Day came close to her first goal with the Bobcats but her blast from inside the goal area went off a Golden Eagle defender standing on the goal line.
Cal State LA won the corner kick battle 8-5 and the home team applied pressure on the Bobcats early and often with four corner kicks in the first ten minutes. UC Merced also had to stand strong on a corner kick and a dangerous scramble in the goal area in the 88th minute.
Reiswig had a header attempt on frame directly off a corner midway through the second half.
Alicia Lepe made two saves in goal for UC Merced.
Lizzie Ledesma and Wright went all 90 minutes as Lepe's center backs for the sixth straight contest.
Alvarenga Torres and Tamayo played the full 90 minutes for the fifth time in the last six matches.
Up next, UC Merced will finish a three-game road trip against Cal State East Bay on Friday, October 2. First touch from the Oakland Roots Training Facility in Alameda, Calif., is scheduled for 3:00pm.
