CAL AT UC DAVIS
SATURDAY, FEB. 8 | 1 P.M. PT | UC DAVIS HEALTH STADIUM | DAVIS, CALIF.
LIVE STREAM: CALBEARS.COM | LIVE STATS: CALBEARS.COM

The California lacrosse team's first season as a member of the ACC begins Saturday with a nonconference game at UC Davis.

With the departure of a large senior class, the Golden Bears welcomed 10 diversely talented freshmen to the roster this year. However, the heart of the team this year lies within the four returning seniors - Callan Fritsch, Kalena Johnson, Kennedy Mason and Belle Tiesi. Cal's seniors have seen the team endure substantial change, and their loyalty has shined through over the past four years by putting the program before themselves and growing into strong leaders for the team. 

Cal and UC Davis have developed a strong rivalry over the years. The Bears have played the Aggies several times in the past, with Cal falling short by one goal last season.

"We just need to go in and play our game. I think if we do that, we will have a really good showing," Cal head coach Jennifer Wong said. 

There are eight ACC teams ranked in the 2025 Inside Lacrosse preseason poll, and Wong is looking forward to taking on top 25 opponents all across the country. 

"The nice thing about the ACC is that every day, you have the chance to upset someone," she said. 

The Bears are looking at the move to the ACC as an opportunity to build a new foundation for the program's future. 

"We're not going to be a team where we just have a few superstars. It is going to be figuring it all out together," Wong said. 
 

QUICK HITS

• The Bears look to win their third season opener in a row under head coach Jennifer Wong.

• Assistant coaches Olivia Memeger and Sorana Larson will make their California debut on Saturday. 

• Cal dropped its only matchup with UC Davis last year 12-11 

• Cal has 16 regular-season games scheduled in 2025 with seven at home and nine on the road, while the team's nine ACC games will include four on the road and five in Berkeley.

• Cal has turned over a third of its roster from 2024 with 20 players returning and 10 new faces on its 30-player roster in 2025.

• Returning senior Kennedy Mason finished third on the squad with 21 goals and fourth with 27 points in 2024.

•  Junior Josie Liliquist returns after putting up 28 points a season ago, the third most on the team.

• Annette Ciupek, Callan Fritsch, Kalena Johnson, Clara Page and Courtney Wong also return after starting all 15 games for the Bears in 2024.

• Clara Page, Kennedy Mason and Kalena Johnson will serve as team captains for the 2025 season.