California Golden Bears Athletics
California
(7-4, 1-3)
#8 Wake Forest
(8-4, 3-1)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| California | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No. 14 Cal Comes Up Short Against No. 8 Wake Forest
10/9/2026 8:49 PM | Field Hockey
The No. 14 California field hockey team (7-4, 1-3 ACC) fell 2-0 to No. 8 Wake Forest (8-4, 3-1 ACC) Friday evening. The Demon Deacons broke a scoreless tie with two minutes remaining and added an insurance goal less than 20 seconds later to secure the ACC victory.
The Golden Bears started strong, earning back-to-back penalty corners in the opening minutes. Although Cal was unable to convert, its defense held Wake Forest to just one shot and no penalty corners in the first quarter.
The Bears carried that momentum into the second quarter, outshooting the Demon Deacons 4-1 and earning three penalty corners to Wake Forest's one. Despite their offensive opportunities, the Bears were unable to find the back of the cage, and the teams entered halftime tied 0-0.
The deadlock continued through the third quarter, with both teams recording just one shot. Wake Forest increased its offensive pressure in the fourth, earning seven penalty corners.
With the game seemingly headed for overtime, the Demon Deacons earned back-to-back penalty corners with two minutes remaining. On the second attempt, Ava Moore received the insert and sent a behind-the-back pass to Mia Schoenbeck, who one-timed the ball into the cage to give Wake Forest a 1-0 lead.
Just 23 seconds later, with 1:33 remaining, Lena Keller drove into the circle and sent a cross to Bianca Rees-Gibbs, who finished with a diving sweep into the corner of the cage to secure the 2-0 victory.
Despite the loss, goalkeeper Carine Van Wiechen recorded five saves, making several key stops to keep the Demon Deacons off the scoreboard through the first three quarters.
"It was 57 minutes of a great game for the Bears," said Donna Fong Co-Director of Field Hockey Steve Danielson. "I am proud of the effort the team put in tonight. We will regroup and prepare for Sunday."
The Bears remain at home to host No. 3 Duke in another ACC matchup Sunday at noon. Following the game, Cal will celebrate its five graduating student-athletes on Senior Day: Elizabeth Edmonston, Lauren Halenkamp, Jaiya Labana, Holly Pears and Van Wiechen.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Mia Schoenbeck
Assisted By: Ava Moore
GOAL by Wake Forest Mia Schoenbeck (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Ava Moore
58:14
Bianca Rees-Gibbs (12)
Assisted By: Lena Keller
GOAL by Wake Forest Bianca Rees-Gibbs, Assist by Lena Keller, goal number 12 for season.
58:32
