ELLENSBURG, Wash. – University of California, Merced women's soccer goalkeeper Alicia Lepe became the Bobcats all-time shutouts leader and the offense exploded for four more goals in a 4-0 neutral-site win over Saint Martin's University on Thursday afternoon.
Lepe's record-breaking shutout was the 21st of her career, passing Maggie Morales who was a 2X Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Year and played for the Bobcats from 2013-16. Lepe has posted back-to-back shutouts to begin the year and was credited with two saves in the latest win.
The Bobcats improved to 2-0 with the win and have a +8 goal margin this season. UC Merced is the only CCAA team to not concede a goal so far this year and the only team to score eight or more goals. Also of note, UC Merced is the first CCAA team since Sonoma State in 2021 to open the year with back-to-back games scoring at least four goals.
Sophia Ruys scored the eventual game-winning goal in the eleventh minute, while Jocelin Roa doubled the lead 90 seconds later on her way to another brace. Alexia Alva scored right out of intermission and then Roa rounded out the scoring in the 70th minute.
Ruys' goal was the first of her career and she scored in stride from the top of the box after playing give and go with Andrea Alvarenga Torres. Ruys put her ground ball shot into the left corner of the net.
Roa's first tally of the day came from inside the goal area and she pulled the keeper off her line and put it through her legs into the back of the net. Alva assisted the goal, playing a through ball 25 yards down the field to the charging Roa.
Alva scored a goal of her own in the 46th minute, heading in a rebound off the crossbar from Alvarenga Torres. Sarai Fresquez helped create the scoring opportunity winning possession from an opponent's goal kick. Alva's goal was the third of her career.
Roa completed the Bobcats scoring in the 70th minute on a misplayed clearance from the Saint Martin's defense. Alva took a shot that was kicksaved by the keeper and then a defender was unable to clear it, giving Roa the opportunity from a few yards out to score.
With her brace, Roa is the first CCAA player since at least 2016 to start the year with back-to-back multi-goal performances.
Alvarenga Torres and Alva each registered two assists in the victory. The last Bobcat with a two-assist game was Trinidad Quiroz in October of 2023.
UC Merced outshot Saint Martin's 18-2, including 10-2 on target. The Bobcats also earned four corner kicks without allowing a single Saint Martin's corner.
Alva had a career-high six shots, four on goal. Roa put three shots on frame.
Center back Lizzie Ledesma led all field players with 81 minutes.
Kamryn Taylor earned her first career start. Newcomers Jocelyn Rojas-Garfias and Emilie Ruiz Mendez made their UC Merced debut.
UC Merced is 2-0 to start the year for the second time in the last three years.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will play at Central Washington on Saturday, September 5 at 1:00pm in Ellensburg, Wash.
