Keelhaulers fall in hard-fought battle at UC Merced

MERCED, Calif. - Coming off a resounding 5-1 win last Thursday in front of its home fans, Cal Maritime opened a three-game road swing Sunday evening at UC Merced, a team that entered this matchup with an undefeated 4-0 record at home this season.

Momentum from last Thursday's win carried over to this Cal Pac contest at Bobcat Field by going toe-to-toe with UC Merced as neither team scored before halftime. 

UC Merced broke that deadlock in the 50th minute, then doubled its lead 15 minutes later. 

Even though it trailed by two goals, Cal Maritime still remained within striking distance of the Bobcats until they recorded three late goals to pull away and defeat the Keelhaulers, 5-0, in a game that was much more competitive than seen upon first glance by the final score.

Cal Maritime's next two games are the final ones that will take place on the road this season. After squaring off against Antelope Valley on Thursday, CSUM will face Saint Katherine in Oceanside, California, before returning home. The Keelhaulers will enter their final road trip of the season with a 1-10 overall and 1-7 Cal Pac record.

UC Merced will continue its season with records of 8-1-3 and 6-1-1.