BERKELEY – The California lacrosse team opened the home portion of its 2025 season on Friday with a 17-6 loss to USC at California Memorial Stadium.
The Bear-Trojan showdown has been ongoing since 2013, with Cal falling short to USC 9-8 last season in Los Angeles. Friday was the first time the teams met as nonconference opponents.
Sophomore attacker Emily Moes put an early stop to the Trojans' quick two-goal lead. However, Cal struggled to score throughout the second quarter and USC went on a 8-0 run. Cal's Annette Ciupek stopped the run with a free position shot. The Bears had several other scoring opportunities but failed to convert.
Moes was able to put up three of Cal's goals Friday, with Alyssa Studdert adding an assist in the fourth quarter.
Freshman Alina Hsu made her Cal debut with a free position shot and Studdert put one more goal away for Cal with 3:21 left in the game, with an assist by Moes.
The Bears will next take on Louisville on Feb. 22, at 12 p.m. PT at California Memorial Stadium.