MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Coming off its eighth straight appearance in the NAIA national championship, UC Merced soccer is making the jump to DII.

One of the players is Jaycob Walker, a Central East grad who was last year's conference freshman of the year.

"I feel like that was just the beginning," he said. "There are a lot more games to go. There are a lot more games to play."

Walker thankful for his teammates, but this year's team lost one of their own over the offseason.

Isaias Ruiz was killed in a crash when his car collided with a semi-truck on I-5 near Coalinga. This year's team is dedicating its season to his memory.

The Bobcats will take the field in September for their season opener at Western Oregon before their home opener against Fresno Pacific on September 10.

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