Stockton soccer standout Ezekiel Cruz is making an immediate impact at UC Merced. Just three games into his career with the Bobcats, the Stockton native has been named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week, while teammate and Manteca native Alexia Alva earned CCAA Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Cruz, a newcomer to UC Merced after playing at Cosumnes River College, helped anchor the Bobcats during a challenging road trip against Westminster and Colorado Mesa. Playing at right back, Cruz contributed on both ends of the field, helping limit opposing offenses while also assisting on both of UC Merced’s goals in a pair of 1-1 draws. The results kept the Bobcats unbeaten through their first three matches of the season.
His defensive work was especially impressive considering what UC Merced faced. Westminster entered its matchup after scoring three goals on 13 shots, while Colorado Mesa had produced two goals on 33 shots in its previous contest. With Cruz helping lead the Bobcats’ back line, Westminster was held to just four total shots and Colorado Mesa managed only three shots on goal. Cruz also became the first UC Merced player since November 2024 to record an assist in consecutive matches.
For Cruz, the recognition is another milestone in what has already been an impressive start with the Bobcats. He becomes only the second UC Merced men’s soccer player to receive a weekly CCAA honor, following Angel Joaquin, who earned the distinction last season.
The Central Valley was well represented on the women’s side as well. Alexia Alva of Manteca earned CCAA Offensive Player of the Week after recording two goals and two assists over two matches. Her biggest performance came in UC Merced’s 4-0 victory over Saint Martin’s, where she scored in the 46th minute and assisted on goals in both halves. She followed that performance with a 52nd-minute equalizer against Central Washington, helping the Bobcats secure a 1-1 draw and remain unbeaten.
Alva currently sits tied for first in the CCAA with three assists and is one of only three players in the conference with multiple goals and multiple assists. Like Cruz, she is also just the second player in her program’s history to earn a CCAA weekly honor.
Both UC Merced soccer teams return to action Monday, September 14, at Jessup University in Rocklin. The women’s match is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the men’s team also set to face Jessup as the Bobcats look to continue their unbeaten starts.
Photo credits:
Alexia Alva photo: Joe Pumphrey, Central Washington Athletics
Ezekiel Cruz photo: Matthew Crossland