COLLEGE PARK, Md. – After No. 7 Maryland scored three unanswered goals in the first half, Cal (0-4) battled back with strong second-half adjustments and scored an early goal before falling 5-1 to the Terrapins (3-2).
 
Maryland scored three goals in the first 35 minutes – one from Welma Luus and two from Linnea Gonzales – as Cal's defense struggled to keep the ball out of goalkeeper Kori Griswold's territory. The Bear offense was timid, managing just one shot while Maryland sent nine toward the cage.
 
Cal went deep into its lineup to battle the central Maryland heat and humidity, with 10 players seeing time off the bench and playing multiple positions, including sophomore Samara Spence in her collegiate debut.
 
At halftime, head coach Shellie Onstead emphasized stronger defense to and a half-court press.
 
"I told them 'The only thing the should change on the scoreboard is our number'," she said. "I'm pretty happy with the 2-1 second half, and that we were able to build on that."
 
Cal responded and the offense ignited as the Bears came out of halftime with an early goal. Sophomore Melina Moore scored in the first minute of the second half, diving for a loose ball on the right side to finish it into the goal, cutting Cal's deficit to 3-1.
 
Maryland answered with two goals, at 36:34 and 40:05, but Onstead called a timeout and the defense collected itself to keep the Terps from scoring for the remainder of the game.
 
"Kori had better vision and made some really nice saves," Onstead said.
 
Griswold finished the game with a season-high eight saves. Though Maryland still held the advantage on offense, 7-1 in penalty corners for the game, Cal cut its lead in shots from 9-1 in the first half to 9-6 in the second half.
 
"For where this team is right now and in their development, I'm really pleased,"Onstead said.
 
HEAD COACH SHELLIE ONSTEAD'S TAKE
On second-half adjustments:
"We slowed the game down and used a half-court press. We were subbing like crazy. We used everybody and people played out of position a lot."
 
"I told them 'The only thing the should change on the scoreboard is our number.' I'm pretty happy with the 2-1 second half, and that we were able to build on that."
 
On second-half defense:
"Kori had better vision and made some really nice saves."
 
GOLDEN BEAR GOAL
35:58 – Melina Moore (unassisted)
Moore says: It was a cross from the right side and I saw it coming, so I dove for it to get the touch.
 
MARYLAND'S GOALS
1:29 – Welma Luus (unassisted)
21:14 – Linnea Gonzales (unassisted)
32:24 – Linnea Gonzales (assisted by Lein Holsboer)
36:34 – Kelee Lepage (assisted by Anouk van Asbeck)
40:05 – Sophie Pelzer (assisted by Carrie Hanks)
 
NEXT UP
California will play the loser of today's American vs. Fairfield game for third place at the Terrapin invitational beginning at 9 p.m. PT on Sunday.