UC Merced Women's Soccer Reaches Final Four
The Bobcats, picked 10th in the preseason poll, have punched their ticket to the Final Four under coach Roman DuChateau.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Soccer
UC Merced women's soccer team has qualified for the Final Four after advancing through its conference season and reaching the conference championship. The Bobcats were picked to finish 10th in the California Collegiate Athletic Association preseason poll.
Why it matters
The run marks a notable step for a program that reached its first NAIA quarterfinal in school history two years ago and has since moved up to NCAA Division II. The team is aiming for its first trip to the NCAA tournament.
The team was projected to finish 10th in the CCAA preseason poll, and head coach Roman DuChateau has 49 career wins, the most in program history. The Final Four result's bearing on NCAA tournament selection remains to be determined when brackets are released Monday.
The players
Roman DuChateau
DuChateau has led the UC Merced women's soccer program since 2022 and holds the program's record for wins with 49.
UC Merced Bobcats
The UC Merced Bobcats are the NCAA Division II athletic program of the University of California, Merced, which competes in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
The details
UC Merced women's soccer advanced through its conference season to reach the Final Four and the conference championship. Head coach Roman DuChateau, who took over the program in 2022, is the winningest women's soccer coach in Bobcats history.
Timeline
2022: Roman DuChateau takes over as head coach.
2024: The Bobcats reach their first NAIA quarterfinal in school history.
2025: UC Merced moves to the NCAA Division II level.
Preseason: The Bobcats are picked to finish 10th in the CCAA poll.
Monday: NCAA tournament brackets are announced.
Season Trajectory
The Final Four berth extends the climb that began with the program's first NAIA quarterfinal appearance two years ago. It also comes in the first season after the move to NCAA Division II, testing the team against a new level of competition.
A Final Four berth and a tournament bid would give fans a live chance to follow the Bobcats on the national stage. Local viewers can track the bracket reveal Monday to see the team's first NCAA opponent.
The takeaway
A program picked 10th in preseason has reached the Final Four, showing how quickly a rebuilt roster can close the gap. Readers following college soccer should watch the brackets on Monday to see how the Bobcats' run is rewarded.
What happens next
NCAA tournament brackets will be announced Monday, determining whether the Bobcats earn their first berth in the national tournament.
Further reading
Explore more in Soccer coverage of the Central Valley's college programs.
