LOWELL, Massachusetts - A first-quarter goal by Maine was all the Black Bears needed to defeat California, 1-0, Saturday afternoon in the America East Conference opener on the UMass-Lowell campus in a neutral-site game. The Golden Bears fell to 1-2, 0-1 on the year.

Maine successfully converted on a penalty corner in the 10th minute of the match to provide all the scoring. 

The close battle went right down to the wire with the Bears earning a short corner with no time left in regulation. Jane Onners' shot went just high of the goal in the final play of the match.

"We had opportunities today for sure," said the Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstead. "You can see from the stats that it was a close game. It was a little bit of a game of runs. We got stronger as the game went on, putting a lot of pressure on them at the end, but we couldn't get the conversion we needed."

Onners recorded a career-high four shots, one on goal. Sara Stone and Rachel Buttinger notched the Bears' other shots. 

Cato Knipping made a season-high five saves. 

Maine earned seven short corners to Cal's six. 

The Bears play UMass-Lowell tomorrow at 9 am PT in the second match of the road trip.

"We're looking ahead to tomorrow, and we expect to have a better full 60 minutes," Onstead said.