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UCM Blanks CU, Advances to NAIA Quarterfinals
Posted: Dec 02, 2024

UCM Blanks CU, Advances to NAIA Quarterfinals

Playing on the biggest stage in program history, UC Merced pulled off its biggest win with a stunning 3-0 win over Campbellsville (Ky.) in the Round of 16 in the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex in Pensacola, Fla.  The win marks the first time in program history that UCM has knocked off a team ranked in the Top 10 in the country.  The Bobcats, who have registered a shutout in every win this season, netted a pair of first half goals and then let their stingy defense take it from there, advancing them into Thursday's Quarterfinal round matchup #5 seed College of Idaho. 

UCM's Quarterfinal match is slated for 11:00 a.m. PT this Thursday, Dec. 5.  The Semifinals will be played on Saturday, Dec. 7, and the Championship game on Dec. 9.

COI hosted Cal Pac member and co-champ Westcliff in 2nd round action, coming from behind to eliminate the Warriors with two late goals.

 

Box Score | Final Site Schedule | Championship Bracket | Watch Live | Live Stats

UCM (12-3-2) entered the national tournament ranked fourth in the NAIA in goals allowed per game, and the Bobcats continued to put their domineering defense on display.  They handed the Lady Tigers, the #4 seed in the NAIA tournament, only their second loss of the season, and the Bobcats did it by suffocating an offense that averaged 4.55 goals per outing.  UCM, which has allowed just six goals all season (0.35 per match), was outshot by the Lady Tigers 17-7, and they had an advantage in corner kicks (11-2), but once the Bobcats put a goal on the scoreboard, any easy looks for CU disappeared due to UCM's overwhelming ball pressure.  Alicia Lepe saved all six CU shots on goal, and the defense in front of her was just as spectacular.

Yareli Hernandez, who booted the only goal in the Second Round win over Embry-Riddle, delivered two more in the Round of 16.  The senior midfielder scored in the 7th minute when she took a Diana Rico pass and converted it into the match's first score, and she drilled home another in the 61st minute to put the game on ice. Hernandez has now scored in six consecutive matches.  UCM also scored in the 31st minute when Liliana Johnson found the back of the net, making the Bobcats an efficient 3-for-3 on shots on goal.

The NAIA Women's Soccer Championship will be broadcast for FREE on Urban Edge Network and the newly redesigned NAIA Network. This includes all matches in Pensacola, Fla., including the championship match and the awards presentation. Fans can watch their favorite team from anywhere in the world.

 

NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

At Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex | Pensacola, Fla

Monday, Dec. 2

Round of 16

UC Merced 3, #4 Campbellsville (Ky.) 0

 

Thursday, Dec. 5

Quarterfinals

11:00 am. PT – UC Merced vs. #5 College of Idaho

 

Saturday, Dec. 7

Semifinals

 

Monday, Dec. 9

NAIA Championship