BERKELEY - California never stopped fighting. Despite trailing Stanford, 3-0, at halftime, the Golden Bears fought back with two goals in the second half, but the Cardinal held on for the 3-2 win Tuesday afternoon from Underhill Field. 

Cal fell to 7-9, 1-2 on the year. 

"In the locker room at halftime we knew we needed to take responsibility," head coach Shellie Onstead said. "It's completely mental. I wanted to see us play to our potential in the second half, and then I knew we'd make a game of it. It's unfortunate we spotted them three goals in the first half."

The Bears started the game strong, putting on a lot of offensive pressure early on in the first quarter, but the momentum turned when the Cardinal got on the board first. 

Stanford's Corinne Zanolli recorded all three Stanford goals. She picked up her first in the first six minutes of the contest before notching her second and third tallies in the second quarter. 

With 80 seconds left in the third quarter, Megan Rodgers finally gave the Bears a spark when she slipped past the defense and found herself in a one-on-one opportunity with Stanford goalie Kelsey Bing. Rodgers got the best of the encounter and Cal was on the board. 

In the fourth quarter, the Bears put more pressure on, and the Cal fans in attendance jumped for joy when it appeared the Bears had cut the deficit down to one. But a review of the goal forced the refs to overturn the call and disallow the goal. 

That didn't stop the Bears, though. 

Brynn Zorilla took an impressive backhand shot from the top of the circle for Cal's second goal of the game with 2:30 left in regulation. 

Cal couldn't get over the hump, though, and tie the game. The Stanford backend held firm in the final minutes and the Cardinal emerged victorious. 

"To get the one goal called back, which was the correct call by the refs, and still answer is monumental," Onstead said. "We've come back in games quite a bit this season. What's missing is staying on top when you either have a lead or playing better than the other team."

Each team registered 10 shots, but Stanford managed nine penalty corners compared to three for the Bears. 

Cato Knipping made her first career start in goal for Cal. 

Cal closes out the regular season at UC Davis on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 3 p.m. It will be the Bears' final tune-up before the America East Conference Tournament next month.