Unbeaten UCM Wins Tourney Title
UC Merced has battled through 15 matches this season without a loss on its resume, and the Bobcats capped that achievement with a 2-0 win over La Sierra in the title match of the California Pacific Conference Championship Saturday in Merced, Calif. UCM, ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, earns the conference's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which begins on Thursday, Nov. 21, at sites to be determined.
With the victory, the Bobcats (12-0-3) extended their home unbeaten streak to 31 matches. They have played in the Cal Pac Championship finale in each of the past five seasons, winning in 2020 and 2021 and qualifying for the national tournament each of those years.
Cal Pac Player of the Year Daniel Borges scored a goal in each half to provide top-seeded UCM with all the offense it would need. His first tally came in the 26th minute when he converted a Kevin Capetillo assist, and then found the back of the net again in the 56th minute, unassisted.
LSU (8-7-1) outshot the Bobcats in the match, 11-10, as well as in shots on goal, 7-6. UCM keeper Angel Joaquin was up to the task, however, saving all seven of the #4 seed Golden Eagles' shots.
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
At UC Merced | Merced, Calif.
Thursday, Nov. 7
Semifinals
#4 La Sierra 3, #1 Westcliff 1
#2 UC Merced 5, #3 Soka 2
Saturday, Nov. 9
Championship
#2 UC Merced 2, #4 La Sierra 0
NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 21-23
First & Second Round
At sites to be determined
Dec. 2-9
Championship Round
At Scheels Stryker Sports Complex | Wichita, Kan.