SAN DIEGO – Cal fell behind by four goals less than four minutes into a road loss to San Diego State on Sunday, but the Golden Bears battled back throughout the non-conference contest at the Aztec Lacrosse Field in an eventual 11-9 loss. Both teams are now 1-3.

"Throughout the first four games of the season we have had some great moments but have been plagued by inconsistent play," head coach Jennifer Wong said."

Maya Lawliss and Quinnlyn Mason each had tricks for the Bears with Lawliss also adding an assist, while Amanda Morse had two goals and Caroline Roxas the first of her career. Kate Rothman and Josie Lillquiest added one assist apiece.

Deanna Balsama had a game-high four goals for the Aztecs, while Caitlin Jones had three and Sydney Wofington picked up a game-high five points on one goal and a game-high four assists.Cailing Young, Brooke Waddell and Emma Betts also had a goal for San Diego State, while Waddell added an assist. 

Cal's first rally came when the Golden Bears' defense kept the Aztecs from getting a fifth goal for the next 15:29 after Balsama (13:52 - unassisted), Jones (12:13 - assist Wolfington), Balsama (11:37 - assist Waddell) and Waddell (11:13 - assist Wolfington) had given the Aztecs their early 4-0 lead. Roxas scored on an assist from Lawliss with 8:10 to go in the first quarter for the Bears' first goal scoring two unassisted goals of her own with 5:38 remaining in the first and 12:15 to go in the second to cut the Aztec advantage to 4-3.

The Aztecs would answer by scoring the next three second-quarter goals (9:44 - Jones unassisted; 6:16 - Betts, assist Wolfington,  5:23 - Young, assist Wolfington) before Morse tallied unassisted 45 seconds before intermission to make the halftime score, 7-4, in favor of the Aztecs. 

San Diego State increased its lead to 8-4 when Jones scored unassisted only 37 seconds after the teams resumed play, but Mason came up with back-to-back goals with 13:18 and 8:47 to go in the third on assists from Rothman and Lillquist to get the Bears back within 8-6. The Aztecs' got their lead back to four on back-to-back unassisted goals by Balsama (6:38, 2:43) and led 10-6 heading into the final 15 minutes.

Cal outscored San Diego State, 3-1, in the fourth quarter with Lawliss (13:43), Mason (6:18) and Morse (1:17) each picking up unassisted scores while Wolfington tallied unassisted for the Aztecs with 1;49 remaining.

San Diego State took advantage of three Cal yellow cards in the contest with Jones' goal with 9:44 to go in the second and Balsama's with 6:38 remaining in the third coming one-up.

Riley Drullinger made the start for the Bears at goalie but after giving up the initial four Aztecs' goals was replaced by Alicia Souliotis, who had 13 saves while allowing only seven goals over the final 56:13. Sam Horan had 10 saves and nine goals allowed for the Aztecs.

Kennedy Goss and Courtney Wang co-led the Bears with three draw controls each, while Charlotte Smith and Annette Ciupek each picked up three ground balls and Kacie Riggs caused a game-high-tying two turnovers. For the Aztecs, Young had game highs of five ground balls and five draw controls, while equaling Riggs' two caused turnovers along with teammates Balsama and Shelby Hook.

San Diego State made two of its three free position shots while Cal was 0-of-3.

Cal hosts Cornell in its home opener on Saturday (1 pm PST).  

"We are looking forward to hosting our first home game at California Memorial Stadium with a new turf field," Wong said. "We have a full week to prepare and are excited to host Cornell on Saturday."