Photo by Bob Palermini, www.palermini.com

MERCED, Calif. – The Southern Oregon men's soccer team scored its first road win of the season by a 1-0 score over UC Merced, the preseason No. 23-ranked team in the NAIA, on Saturday afternoon at Lake Field.

In the 24th minute, Renee Resendez assisted senior forward Mitchell Pinney for the lone goal – Pinney's first of the season and fifth game-winner as a Raider. The assist was Resendez's third in as many games.

The Raiders improved to 2-2 with their second straight victory heading into Sunday's match at Pacific Union (Calif.). The Bobcats, whose slow start has dropped them out of the rankings, dropped to 2-3-1 and were shut out for the third game in a row.

SOU keeper Wyatt Zabinski kept them off the board with six saves. His work allowed the Raiders to overcome a 17-8 disparity in shots; Pinney's was one of three they put on goal.

Sunday's tilt will be the Raiders' last tune-up before they open Cascade Conference play next Friday in Ashland against No. 10 Rocky Mountain (Mont.), which they shared the regular-season title with last year.