Oct. 2, 2011
Final Stats
PHILADELPHIA -
The California Golden Bears won their third overtime game of the season, downing the Drexel Dragons, 3-2. Rachelle Comeau's goal 1:22 seconds into the extra period closed out a sweep on the three-game Philadelphia road trip.
The Bears found themselves in the unfamiliar situation of playing from behind after Drexel scored an early goal, at the 18:26 mark of the first period. Despite heavy Cal pressure in the later portion of the half, the Dragons led 1-0 at the break.
Cal finally cracked the Drexel defense with sophomore forward Andrea Earle scoring her 12th goal of the season eight minutes into the second half. Earle took a ball from the 30 yard line, turned the corner, beat a couple of defenders to find herself up against the goalie, and beat her to knock it in.
"Andrea was so calm on this play," said head coach Shellie Onstead. "The goal really pumped up the team."
Cal took their first lead of the game ten minutes later when Jordan O'Reilly knocked in her third goal of the roadtrip. Shannon Elmitt passed a ball into the circle, deflecting off a Drexel player. O'Reilly was in the perfect position, getting the touch to knock it into the net.
Drexel went on the attack after Cal's second goal. The Dragons scored the equalizer after a penalty corner at the 64:24 mark. Senior Cal goalkeeper Maddie Hand had a great save in the waning minutes of regulation to ensure the game would go to overtime.
Drexel started the extra time attacking on the Cal end of the pitch. The Bears got a breakaway, running down the length of the field and setting up their chance on offense. Junior Deanna Kennedy got the ball into the circle early, with Rachelle Comaeu getting there to launch a "good ball" to get the game winner.
"I am really proud of this team," Onstead said. "Winning three games in four days is really a testament to their fitness. That is what they have been drawing on. There was also a lot of belief. We were down early and that never got to us."
This was the third game of the weekend for the Bears who took on three Philadelphia teams and went 3-0 on the trip. The three victories improve Cal to 11-2 this season. Drexel falls to 8-4. Cal also remains perfect in OT games this season (3-0).
The Golden Bears are idle next week. They will return to action on Friday, Oct. 14 when they host UC Davis at 7 p.m. at Maxwell Family Field in Berkeley.
