MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's soccer team posted their third clean sheet of the season and played to a scoreless draw with Southern Oregon University in excessive heat Tuesday afternoon on Bobcat Field. Temperatures reached 108 degrees by the end of the game, with the local high projected to hit 116 degrees around 4:00pm.

The Bobcats (1-1-2) three shutouts early in the season already match the Bobcats total shutouts from a season ago. Melody Martinez was key in making Tuesday's shutout happen as she made four saves while earning the start in her collegiate debut.

Martinez becomes the sixth Bobcat in program history to earn a shutout and the second Bobcat to do so in her collegiate debut, joining current teammate Jadyn Gong. All four of her saves came in the second half.

UC Merced controlled possession and outshot Southern Oregon 11-7 and won the corner kick battle 5-3. 

Trinidad Quiroz held match-high with five shots, one of which smacked off the crossbar and another one the post within the first 15 minutes of the game. Quiroz has recorded at least four shots each contest and is currently top 25 in the nation with 5.25 shots per game.

Jennavieve Ordonez, who earned her first career start, and Kaeley Cariglio each got off two shots. Cariglio hit the post in the 57th minute and then had her shot saved by Raiders keeper Jessie Selby in the 80th minute. 

Freshman Katy Flores also earned her first career start.

UC Merced utilized 24 players on the hot afternoon. Martinez logged all 90 minutes. Lilly Boucher was on the field for 85 minutes.

Martinez's top save came after a UC Merced foul that gave Southern Oregon a free kick just ahead of the center circle early in the second half. The ball bounced around a couple Raiders before Martinez was forced to dive to her right near the post to make her first career save. Martinez then made another save shortly after and two in the final ten minutes.

Each team was whistled for six fouls.

Tuesday marked the Bobcats second draw of the season, doubling their mark from a season ago.

Up next, UC Merced will visit William Jessup University for their first road test of the season on Friday, September 9 at 1:00pm in Rocklin, Calif.