UC Merced women’s soccer team eyes title run

Megan Atoigue spent the offseason drilling one word into her team’s minds.

Finishing.

It may seem redundant after her UC Merced women’s soccer team netted 46 goals in 16 matches and finished with a plus-33 goal differential a season ago, but the Bobcats were far from efficient. UCM converted only one of every four shots on goal and had many that never found their way on frame. The goals also dried up when it mattered most, with the Bobcats totaling one goal against Marymount, Menlo and Embry-Riddle down the stretch.

“I was really pleased with our defensive effort last season,” Atoigue said. “We did a great job limiting teams. What I really want the girls focused on coming into this season is finishing.

“We dominated possession in almost every game, but we didn’t make the most of our chances. We need to be more efficient.”

There’s no reason to think Merced won’t be. Atoigue returns her entire starting 11 and 19 players in all. The bulk of the group is entering the third year in the program and brimming with confidence after finishing 10-4-2 last year. UCM opens the season at home Tuesday at 1 p.m. against the Oregon Institute of Technology.

“I don’t see how we can go anywhere but up,” said goalkeeper Maggie Morales, the reigning California Pacific Conference Defensive Player of the Year. “The whole starting group is back, and we should be better. Plus, we added six new girls that should give us more depth and fill in any holes we had.

“Last year, I know we were focused, but it tended to be little mistakes that all of a sudden led to a goal and cost us. This year, I think we can really cut down on those.”

Opponents likely will struggle to score again. UCM’s veteran defense features senior center back Desiree Coles, who will complement Morales’ steady hand in the goal. Vanessa Villacorta and Daisy Bonilla again will form one of the more dynamic center midfields in the conference, and sophomore Ashley Bennett, who had a team-high nine goals last year, again will look to be a factor up top.

Men’s soccer

Much like the women, the men’s soccer team aims to build upon a successful 2014. The Bobcats finished 12-6 in just their second season and 9-3 in the Cal Pac, tying for the North regular-season title with Menlo.

UCM exited in the semifinals of the Cal Pac tournament, but with seven returning starters and 18 total returnees, the Bobcats hope to vie for their first conference title.

Junior Cody Golbad is the reigning Cal Pac Player of the Year and should only continue to improve. Midfielder Brian Chongtoua and center back Andy Galvan joined Golbad on the all-Cal Pac first team as sophomores and should solidify both areas of the pitch. With goalkeeper coach Clint Long now an assistant, head coach Albert Martins said he expects goalkeeper Heriberto Diaz to fulfill his potential this season.

Martins added six freshmen, including possible impact striker Artemio Contreras.

Women’s volleyball

Allen McCreary’s squads have had the talent to be Cal Pac contenders, but they have lacked consistency the last few years.

Last season was more of the same. The Bobcats limped into the Cal Pac tournament having dropped three of their last four matches. Something clicked, however, as UCM knocked off top-seeded La Sierra and pushed Menlo in the championship match.

The Bobcats will try to mount another title shot behind four-year players Victoria Rouse (outside hitter), McKenzie Willett (right-side hitter), Shari Pandy (outside hitter) and Genna Garrett (setter). UCM also returns the Cal Pac Freshman of the Year and kills leader, Rachael Schaefer (outside hitter).

With nine underclassmen on the squad, young players should get an opportunity to make an instant impact, particularly 6-foot freshmen Madison Mullane and Genesis Hester in the middle.

Cross country

With 10 on the roster, second-year coach Ryan Nunez will field the school’s largest men’s cross country team to date.

Nunez also will welcome back one of the school’s most storied runners, Daniel Pena. The former qualifier for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championship will help lead a young group, including seven underclassmen.

The women’s team will have six new runners joining returnees Sammantha Fajardo, Jessica Perez and Sofia Rios. Rios, the defending conference champion, will try to reach the NAIA national championship for the fourth straight season.

This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 7:50 PM with the headline "UC Merced women’s soccer team eyes title run."