MERCED, Calif. - Closing out their fifth road game in a row the Warriors headed to UC Merced for an afternoon kickoff against recently nationalized recognized and receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 Coaches Poll, Bobcats. It was an early lead for the home team with a pair of goals before the break as the Warriors edged their way back in the final half, but unable to even the score, falling 2-1 and now 3-3 overall in preseason play. 

Head coach Greg Lazaga commented, "We came out today off tempo offensively and defensively. Our group is still learning to manage the flow of games by being crisp on the ball. Unfortunately, we were not able to find that rhythm early enough against a nationally recognized squad in the Bobcats."

The lead for UC Merced would hit the back of the net in the 14th minute and their final goal of the game would take flight in the 26th minute for what would be the deciding factor. 

The game would go scoreless for 50 minutes as the Warriors continued to battle back and senior Conner Entz put the Warriors on the board in the 69th minute with his first goal of the season. But despite their determination down the stretch, the Warriors were not able to find the equalizer to send it to extra minutes.

Defensively Jessup worked hard keeping the Bobcats scoreless for the final 20 minutes of the first half and the whole 45 of the second. Protecting the posts was none other than senior Nick Garcia who had 8 total saves bringing his season total to 22, tying his career high for a season set last year.

"We were in the game until the final minutes," Lazaga concluded. "Our job now is to spend our last two preseason games learning to come out for 90 minutes as we prepare for GSAC."

 The final two preseason games will be played at home starting Friday against Pacific Union College at 3 pm, followed by Bethesda University next Saturday at 11:00 am. 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).