ROCKLIN, Calif. - In what seemed to be a game of catch up for the Warriors, the men's soccer team worked hard to even the score after both UC Merced goals and held the Bobcats in a pair of overtimes to end in a 2-2 draw, their first tie of the season.

Head coach Greg Lazaga reflected, "I am just proud of our group for competing back after some circumstances out of our control. Merced is a quality squad this year."

The first wake-up call for the Warriors came within the first 45-seconds of the game when the Bobcats came out firing for the first goal off a free kick, 1-0. 

It wouldn't be but a couple minutes later junior Connor Entz was fouled in the box and given the opportunity to even the score with a penalty kick, and that he did making it 1-1 in the 4th-minute of the game.

At the midway point senior goalie, Robert Harmelink would get a yellow card in the box giving the Bobcats their own opportunity at a penalty kick. Harmelink took the first right step and a diving save to block the PK and keep it all tied up 1-1 in the 22nd-minute.

But the Bobcats would get another chance at a one-on-one with Harmelink when freshman Noah Benvenuti was issued a yellow card in the box and UC Merced went up 2-1 in the 38th-minute off their second penalty kick of the game.

The Bobcats outshot the Warriors in the second half, 7-3 but with Jessup defense and leader Harmelink between the posts, they refused to let another one in trailing 2-1.

In the 88th-minute Oscar Munoz would score the equalizing goal to push it to overtime against UC Merced, the Bobcats third double-overtime game of the season.  The last time the Warriors saw extra minutes was against Sierra Nevada where they scored in the first minutes to win.

It was a scoreless two extra periods with a shotless final period to finish the game between the Warriors and Bobcats in a draw 2-2.

The Warriors will have another game this week against the Academy of Arts in San Francisco on Saturday before heading into conference matchup next week.

"We have lots of things to work on, but we are making positive strides in key areas," Lazaga concluded.
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).