BERKELEY -- Megan Rodgers powered California field hockey to a season-opening victory over Providence, 5-1, with her second collegiate hat trick Friday evening at Underhill Field. 

Rodgers, who was the nation's third-highest scoring freshman last season, showed no signs of a sophomore slump in her second-year debut, scoring with a variety of plays in the 29th, 44th and 68th minutes.

"I've been hitting the gym, getting a lot stronger," she said. "We're working a lot as a team. I couldn't have done it without my teammates -- every single one of those goals was assisted." 

The Golden Bears, who tallied 16 total shots in the high-offense game, also saw goals from Maddie Cleat and Melina Moore. 

It took nearly the full first half before Cal's offense found its rhythm, but Cleat helped the Bears strike first on a deflection off a shot by Rodgers. A little more than a minute later, Rodgers connected with the back of the cage with help from Lindsay Mathison, making it 2-0 Cal after the first half.

Cal outshot Providence 7-3 in the first 35 minutes, but the Friars edged the Bears in corners, 2-1.

The Golden Bear offense came to life following some key halftime adjustments, and Rodgers notched her second of the day via Femke Delissen at 43:27.

Providence got a goal back via Izzy Mendez to cut Cal's lead to 3-1 in the 47th minute, but the Bears pushed ahead with two more goals in the final five minutes. Melina Moore successfully converted a world-class corner play off of Katrina Carter's insert and Delissen's hold, and less than two minutes later Rodger earned her hat trick.

Freshmen Brynn Zorilla and Ryan Poe made their collegiate debuts, with Zorilla earning a start and notching an assist on Rodgers' third goal.

"I was so excited. I've been waiting so long for this moment to put on this jersey for these people," Zorilla said. "They've been so welcoming right off the bat, so to be able to finally play with them was awesome."

Second-year student-athletes Morgan Peterson and Yvie Lock also made their Cal debuts.

Danielle Mentink earned the win with a complete 70-minute performance, including one save. 
 

HEAD COACH SHELLIE ONSTEAD'S TAKE

It was major jitters. First game -- I kind of expected it. It took us a half to figure things out. Everyone was playing a little too fast and crazy, but we settled down at halftime and made a couple of corrections as far as pressuring them when they were outletting. It just sparked the whole thing. One of the things we wanted to do at halftime was raise the shot count, and you saw how that sparked them. 
 

GOLDEN BEARS ON THEIR GOALS

1. Maddie Cleat (assisted by Megan Rodgers):
The goal came from a short corner. Femke stopped the ball, and Megan hit it into the bottom left post. I got a nice little touch on it and it went in. Me and Megan -- we're roommates -- so we have this nice little connection, so it worked really well.

2. Megan Rodgers (assisted by Lindsay Mathison):
The first goal was passed by Lindsay Mathison and the goalie dove. I did a pop shot over the goalie.

3. Rodgers (assisted by Femke Delissen):
It was just a rolling, loose ball in the circle and a straight hit in.

4. Melina Moore (assisted by Delissen and Katrina Carter)
Katrina's inserts are super fast, so I knew it was going to be a good out and stick stop by Femke. I kept my head down and followed through to the top.

5. Rodgers (assisted by Brynn Zorilla)
I eliminated the center defender and took a reverse shot that went between the goalie's legs.