Merced, Calif. - The Golden Eagles men's soccer team dropped their first conference match of the season, in a 3-2 loss, to the University of California – Merced. The team fell to 5-1 in Cal Pac play (7-5 overall). The loss also drops La Sierra to the fourth position in the conference standings, currently one point behind the Bobcats.

La Sierra jumped on the scoreboard first with an unassisted goal by Pedro Blaquier (14th minute). The Bobcats tied the score, with a goal in the 39minute, as the two teams went into the halftime break knotted up at 1-1.

Merced took their first lead of the match, when Kevin Rodriguez scored his second goal of the day, giving the Bobcats a 2-1 advantage. But that lead was short-lived, as Israel Vasquez scored his, team-high, 14th goal of the season to tie things up at 2-2. The Bobcats scored the eventual game winner, in the 75th minute, to push their conference record to 5-1-1.

The team returns home this next weekend for two conference matches starting on Friday, versus Embry-Riddle University, at 2pm. The Eagles are currently 6-1 in Cal Pac play and are receiving votes in the national rankings. Following Friday's match, the Golden Eagles will host Benedictine University, on Sunday afternoon.