Fullerton, CA - The Hope International University men's soccer team (3-1) lost for the first time as they fell 2-1 to the UC Merced Bobcats on Thursday evening at the OC Great Park in Irvine, CA.

The Bobcats took control in the first half as they held the majority of the possession and created several chances. After several shots the Bobcats opened the scoring in the 15th minute to take a 1-0 lead. The Royals weren't able to generate many chances in the first half while the Bobcats continued to press forward and came close to a second but the crossbar and Royals goalie Lewis Blanton denied them of another as the Royals went into halftime trailing 1-0.

The Bobcats continued their momentum into the second half with more chances created but it was the Royals who found the equalizer as Angel Magdaleno whipped in a great cross to find Jorge Perez who calmly finished for his first goal of the season to tie the game 1-1 in the 61st minute. From there the Royals went for it creating more opportunities as they searched for a game-winner but it was the Bobcats who struck again after a poor defensive clearance in the 84th minute to go ahead 2-1. The Royals had one last chance to tie it but Perez's header in the 89th minute flashed just wide of the goal as the Royals fell 2-1. Blanton led the defense with five saves.

The Royals return to action as they host Life Pacific in a non-conference matchup on Saturday, September 2 at 7:00 PM at the OC Great Park Stadium in Irvine, CA