MERCED, Calif. – #6 California State University San Bernardino men's soccer suffered its first loss of the season Sunday afternoon, falling 1-0 to UC Merced.
With the loss, the Coyotes moved to 8-1-2 overall and 4-1-0 in CCAA play.
The Yotes showed some early offensive pressure to start the match before the game shifted in the 10th minute when CSUSB received a red card and was forced to play with 10 men. Despite playing shorthanded for the remainder of the first half, the Coyotes limited UC Merced to just two shots and went into halftime tied 0-0.
CSUSB continued to battle in the second half before being reduced to nine players following another red card in the 60th minute. Goalkeeper Cody Lindeman entered the match and made two saves as the Yotes continued to keep the Bobcats off the scoreboard.
UC Merced finally broke through in the 87th minute on a header inside the box that was initially ruled no goal. The Bobcats challenged the call, sending the referee to VAR, where he determined there was enough evidence that the ball had crossed the goal line and awarded UC Merced the goal for a 1-0 lead.
The Coyotes finished the match with six shots, including two on goal, while UC Merced recorded 10 shots with three on target.
Next up for CSUSB, they will return home for a pair of matches at Premier Field. The Yotes will take on Menlo on Friday at 12 p.m. before hosting Fresno Pacific on Sunday at 11 a.m. for Alumni Day.
