MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's soccer team remained unbeaten through two games after playing to a 0-0 draw against Menlo College Sunday night on Bobcat Field.

The Bobcats (1-0-1) are unbeaten through two games for the second time in three years and for the fifth time in program history. 

UC Merced goalkeeper Jadyn Gong earned her first career shutout by stopping a career-high seven shots. Gong, who earned her second career start, also played the full 90 minutes for the first time in her career. Gong kept the shutout intact down the stretch, catching a line drive free kick from Kori-Ann Koverman in the 83rd minute and then just 90 seconds later, came out of her box to make a sliding save on what was arguably the Oaks top offensive threat of the night.

The Bobcats have now posted two straight shutouts to start the campaign for the fourth time in program history, the first time since 2016. 

The draw was the Bobcats first since September 8, 2021, and the first scoreless draw since September 21, 2019. Sunday's match was just 90 minutes as a rule change over the summer mandated no overtime in regular season contests.

UC Merced outshot Menlo College 18-8 on the night, 12-7 on goal. Head coach Roman DuChateau's team also earned six corner kicks while limiting Menlo to just two. Jocelyne Garcia took four of the Bobcats six corner kicks.

Trinidad Quiroz held game-high with six shots, including a header in the 15th minute that was saved by Oaks keeper Giorgia Melcore. Quiroz also took a free kick approximately ten minutes later that nearly snuck in below the goal post but a leaping Melcore punched it over the aluminum resulting in one of the Bobcats six corner kicks. The San Jose, Calif., native had five shots on target and played all 90 minutes at the forward position.

Ciera Santos and defenders Baleigh Zamudio and Kylee Silva each took two shots. Both of Santos' were on goal. Santos had a shot on goal off a free kick similar to Quiroz's.

Dating back to last season, the Bobcats have outshot their opponents in eight straight regular season games. The Bobcats have outshot their opponent by double figures in seven of those eight contests.

Looking ahead, UC Merced will host their second top-10 opponent in program history when eighth-ranked Westmont College comes to Bobcat Field on Saturday, September 3 at 1:00pm.