May 1, 2004

BERKELEY, Calif. - Playing in its final regular season game, California fired up its offense and produced a season-high scoring barrage to defeat visiting Saint Mary's College 20-10 Saturday afternoon in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play. Junior midfielder Molly Brady paced the Bears' attack with five goals.

California (8-8 overall, 3-1 in the MPSF) doubled the Gaels up by halftime, 12-6, with eight different Bears scoring in that first stanza. Freshman midfielder Elizabeth Reifsnyder closed the half with three-straight goals for Cal, eventually finishing the game with four.

"Molly Brady had a great game today," said California head coach Jill Malko. "She's had to raise the level of her game this season and has really been working hard. I also thought (freshman midfielder) Jocelyn Paul brought an enormous amount of energy off the bench. You could see her heart out there. She was a real spark plug for us."

Senior attacker Colette Spencer scored three goals for Saint Mary's (4-12 overall, 0-4 in the MPSF) while junior goalkeeper Katie Augustine tallied 20 saves on a busy day in the Gaels' net.

"I'm really happy with our attack's execution," said Malko. "It makes me very happy as a coach to see this team set goals and then go out and achieve them. That paid off today. Our offensive players did a great job re-defending, creating opportunities and getting the ball back."

Senior attacker Colleen O'Mara lived up to her No. 1 national ranking for assists per game, recording four during the match, raising her season record total to 39 and her career record total to 81. She is now just four points shy of surpassing Cal's career points record of 165 and is averaging 2.44 assists per game through Saturday. O'Mara also scored the Bears' first goal of the day, unassisted.

"It's sometimes easy to overlook Colleen," said Malko. "She had a very consistent game and really played within herself. We count on her to be that kind of leader for us."

In a game full of offense, two notable California goals included freshman midfielder Kathryn Lindler's second half opening score, her first career goal as a Bear, and sophomore midfielder Brooke Toeller's goal to end the game, her first of the season. Cal held Saint Mary's scoreless over the final 19 minutes of play.

Postseason action begins Thursday, May 6, when the Bears travel to Denver, Colo., for the MPSF Championship. California faces Denver in the opening match for a chance at the title on Saturday, May 8.

California Women's Lacrosse Result:
Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.

Score By Period   1   2    Total
Saint Mary's      6   4  -  10
California       12   8  -  20

GOALS: Cal - Brady 5, Reifsnyder 4, Zilioli 2, Smith 2, Wu 1, Toeller 1, Paul 1, Sokolow 1, Cavallo 1, Lindler 1, O'Mara 1; SMC - C. Spencer 3, J. Spencer 2, Wagner 2, Riggers 2, Marsh 1.
ASSISTS: Cal - O'Mara 4, Wu 1, Ziliolo 1, Lee 1, Cavallo 1, Smith 1; SMC - J. Spencer 1, C. Spencer 1, Guzman 1.
SAVES: Cal - Lynch 10; SMC - Augustine 20.
SHOTS: Cal 49, SMC 21.
FREE-POSITION SHOTS: Cal 2-6, SMC 1-3.
GROUND BALLS: Cal 19, SMC 12.
DRAW CONTROLS: Cal 15, SMC 15.
TURNOVERS: Cal 9, SMC 15.
FOULS: Cal 6, SMC 12.