COSTA MESA— Men's soccer clashed with UC Merced for the first time since the 2017 NAIA National Tournament on Saturday afternoon to close their nonconference schedule. The intensity, however, matched that of a conference championship as both teams wrestled through a grueling, physical 1-1 draw on a windy day at VU Soccer Field.
The Bobcats broke through in the 11th minute on a sweeping move from front to back, finished off by Christian Khanishian. VU trailed for the next 53 minutes of game time, until a lethal counterattack was tapped in by Juan Vasquez for his first collegiate goal.
Both sides settled for a draw heading into their respective conference campaign, with VU moving to 2-3-2 and UCM shifting to 1-2-2. The result, however, marks the third successive Lion match without a win, the longest stretch since the opening three matches of the 2023 season.
The Blue and Gold weathered through injury concerns and went without three starters in the match, including two members of the starting back four. They also featured two freshman debutants (
Ashton Ta-Tran and
Kyle Nelson) as well as two freshmen making their home debuts (
Michael Coury and
Austin Kiernan).
VU and UCM were level in shots (6-6), shots on goal (2-2), and saves (1-1). VU led in corner kicks (9-4), and both combined for 27 fouls (16-11 VU).
What Happened? The Lions swept two shots together in a six-second window straight after kick-off.
Ben Sieber ventured from right back to see his shot blocked from outside the box, while
Bryan Ortiz grazed his strike off a UCM defender to deflect over the bar for a corner kick.
UC Merced's first attempt was a sneaky shot from the top of the box to
Aidan Hay's right with the keeper comfortably latching onto the hit in the eighth minute. The Bobcat goal came three minutes later however, after a well-crafted move in possession. UCM started in their half, linking six passes together to go from right to left across the pitch. Merced's Jake Perkins skipped past two VU defenders toward the touchline and sent the cross into the mixer. The Bobcats bashed the initial effort off the crossbar, but an acrobatic adjustment for Christian Khanishian gave the visitors the lead off the scissor kick.
The Lions were outshot 6-3 in the first half and could not create much in the remainder of the period.
Luke Parker had the last VU effort of the frame, which was sent wide in the 20th minute.
The Blue and Gold did not surrender a shot in the second half and cranked up the intensity with a barrage of substitutions to facilitate energy around the pitch. The Lions also plugged holes in defense and midfield, with
Kevin Abarca putting in a robust shift at left-back and Coury and Parker clogging up the midfield. The Lions' first chance of the half broke for
Sidney Dina in the 61st minute. Dina collected the ball in space and carried it to the goal, but couldn't keep his left-footed effort down.
Vasquez found his goal off a blistering VU counterattack. Dina started the break with a through ball through the left channel for Ortiz, who flicked the ball on for Parker. The freshman was patient, waiting for his defender to overcommit before cutting back on his right foot. The slotted cross on the ground met the trailing run of Vasquez, who tapped in the finish for his first collegiate goal.
The Lions hunted for a winner but could not snatch victory in a physical and slower-paced second half.
Alan Leon went for glory in minute 84, eluding his defender to switch the ball back on his favored right foot. His strike was well-placed toward the bottom right corner, but didn't have the power to beat the UCM goalkeeper.
What's Next? The Lions will start the PacWest playing host to Jessup on Saturday, October 4, at 12:30 pm.
