Mustangs Drop Road Game in Merced

Things looked promising for the men's soccer team on the road against UC Merced when the Mustangs scored first and maintained a tie at halftime.

But there was still a second half to play.

The Bobcats, a team receiving votes in the NAIA Pre-Season Top 25 poll, scored five goals in the second half to defeat The Master's 6-1 on a hot Tuesday evening in the central valley.

It started well enough for TMU (0-2-1) when Giorgio Martino scored in the 18th minute off an assist from Prince Chingancheke.

But 11 minutes later the Bobcats evened the score when Agustin Guerrero netted the ball.

"I was really proud of them in the first half," said Head Coach Jim Rickard. "We played a way we hadn't necessarily played before."

The Bobcats barrage began less than five minutes into the second half with four more balls finding the back of the net before time expired. UC Merced out shot the Mustangs 26-5 with 16 of those shots being on goal. Kian Bensend finished with 10 saves.

"(UC Merced's) quality started to come out in the second half," Rickard said. "They are arguably one of the best in the west. They are deep and fast and quick."

The Master's will have their home opener Thursday when they host the Poets of Whittier College at 5 p.m.