Shasta storms past MC football with big second half

Once the Shasta College offense got going, Merced College could do little to slow it down Saturday night.

The Blue Devils’ defense turned in a brilliant opening half, limiting the Knights to seven points and forcing three turnovers. All that changed after the break, however.

Shasta scored on its first four possessions of the second half and never looked back, pulling away for a 37-24 victory that denied MC its first 3-0 start since 1995.

Nathaniel Nelson earned his second straight start at quarterback for the Blue Devils and was effective moving the ball, finishing 19 of 34 for 262 yards and a touchdown. He marched MC (2-1) to a touchdown on its opening drive, which lasted just four plays. Josh Stevens punched it in from three yards for a 7-0 lead.

MC dominated field position in the opening quarter, but failed to expand the lead. Noah Croninger missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt, and the Blue Devils turned it over on downs at the Shasta 31-yard line.

The Knights (2-1) tied the score late in the first quarter on Connor Silveria’s 15-yard scoring run. Croninger responded with a 53-yard field goal to give the Blue Devils a 10-7 halftime lead.

In the second half, Shasta dominated with its ground attack led by Silveria (23 carries, 152 yards). He had two touchdowns in the Knights’ 30-point second half. Shasta finished with 290 rushing yards.

Stevens had a team-high 64 rushing yards on 21 carries for Merced, which hosts undefeated Contra Costa on Saturday.

Men’s Water Polo

In Stockton – Taylor Heckathorn’s eight goals, five assists and six steals helped Merced College (7-3) go 4-0 at the San Joaquin Delta Tournament over the weekend.

The Blue Devils knocked off Delta 13-11, Santa Rosa 11-6, Cabrillo 9-7 and Los Positas 15-5.

Nick Ogden (eight goals), Caleb Rogers (eight) and Jordan Salcido (seven) had big tournaments for MC, and James Petree made 44 saves in the four victories.

Volleyball

UC Santa Cruz 3, UC Merced 0 in Merced – Rachael Schaefer recorded a team-high 15 kills and Shari Pandy added 10, but the Bobcats (5-3) were swept 25-14, 25-18, 26-24 by the Banana Slugs (5-8).

Brooke Wheeler had a team-high 22 assists, 11 digs and two aces for UCM.

Men’s Soccer

La Sierra 2, UC Merced in Riverside – Mingyu Wee scored twice in the last 17 minutes, including the game-winner with 16 second left, as La Sierra rallied past the 10-man Bobcats.

Merced (4-2-1) freshman Artemio Contreras opened the scoring in the third minute, but Cruz Trenado was shown a red card just before halftime. Heriberto Diaz made six saves in the loss.

This story was originally published September 20, 2015 at 6:31 PM with the headline "Shasta storms past MC football with big second half."