Aug. 27, 2011

Final Stats

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The California Golden Bear field hockey team began the season with back-to-back victories over top-20 ranked teams, defeating the No. 13 Michigan State Spartans, 4-3, in overtime in a neutral-site game in Louisville, Ky.

The Golden Bears started the game strong with sophomore Jordan O'Reilly, standing at the left post, knocked in a feed from Lara Kruggel 20 minutes into the first half to put Cal up 1-0. Cal led 2-0 after junior Rachelle Comeau scored after a scramble in front of the Spartan net.

The Bears extended the lead to 3-0 three minutes into the second half when O'Reilly scored her second field goal of the game, taking a pass from Andrea Earle and finding net.

The Spartans had a late surge, scoring all three goals in a span of six minutes beginning 15 minutes into the second half.

Cal did not allow another MSU shot in regulation after the third goal, with the two teams locked in a 3-3 tie after 70 minutes.

Cal took advantage of its first penalty corner of the overtime, with sophomore Shannon Elmitt taking the corner and passing to Deanna Kennedy, who set up a shot for Erin Magill. The senior then scored her second goal of the new season and gave Cal the 4-3 victory.

"I couldn't be happier with the beginning of the game," said head coach Shellie Onstead.

"We'd gotten off to a slow start yesterday, so we were focused on coming out strong, and we did a super job with that. At the start of the second half, Michigan State started to pressure, and we responded by scoring our third goal. Up to that point, it was the perfect match. Then the long weekend and the heat seemed to catch up with us, and we got a little complacent. But we were able to come out with the win, and we learned a good lesson."

The Bears, who defeated No. 16 Louisville in the season opener, are now 2-0 on the season. They will begin NorPac play next week when they take on the Pacific Tigers in Stockton, Calif. on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1:00 p.m.