California Golden Bears Athletics
California
UCLA
Bears Begin Homestand With No. 17 UCLA, North Carolina
8/30/2026 3:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Cal To Play Home Opener On Tuesday
The California men's soccer team is finally home at Edwards Stadium, hosting a three-game homestand beginning with No. 17 UCLA on Tuesday, September 1 before opening ACC play against North Carolina on Sunday, September 6. The Golden Bears enter the week 1-0-1 after back-to-back shutout performances, most recently taking a 1-0 win at Santa Clara.
MATCH INFORMATION
UCLA
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Date and Time: Tuesday, Sep. 1, at 5 p.m. PT
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Location: Berkeley, CA | Edwards Stadium
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Live Stream: ACCNX
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Live Stats: Statbroadcast
North Carolina
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Date and Time: Sunday, Sep. 6, at 4 p.m. PT
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Location: Berkeley, CA | Edwards Stadium
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Live Stream: ACCNX
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Live Stats: Statbroadcast
On The Board
Junhwan Park netted California's first goal of the season against Santa Clara, a 78th minute beauty that secured the Bears' first win of the season. The goal marked the third of Park's career, and his first ever game winner.
Honor Roll
After a stunning performance in the season opener, junior defender Beau Morrison took home the first ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors of the season. Morrison was a key piece on the back line in the Bears' scoreless draw against No. 6 Portland, recording tremendous goal line clearance to secure the shutout against the Pilots.
A Shutout Start
Cal opened the 2026 season against No. 6 Portland on the road. The Bears returned from a hostile road environment with a shutout against the Pilots, who had scored over 40 goals during the 2025 season. Cal is one of just three teams to have shutout a top 25 ranked opponent in its season opener. The Golden Bears extended their shutout streak to 180 minutes after holding Santa Clara scoreless in their most recent outing.
2025 Recap
Cal posted an overall record of 8-8-2 with a 2-5-1 mark in ACC play. The Bears finished 12th in the ACC during the regular season, advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament before falling to the No. 1 seed Virginia.
The two regular-season conference wins came in the ACC opener at Boston College and to close the regular season at home against No. 1 ranked Stanford, preventing the Cardinal from clinching the ACC regular-season title and snapping a 10-game win streak.
The Bears graduated leading goal scorer Luka Lukic, but return Malcom Zalayet, who ranked second in goals and points for Cal last season. Cal also retained key defensive pieces in Beau Morrison and D'Andre Pickett, with Morrison one of two players to start all 18 games for the Bears during the 2025 season.
Year 3
Cal enters year three in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In its two years in the conference, Cal has pushed all the way to the semifinals of the ACC tournament as both a No. 11 and a No. 12 seed in consecutive years.
Eyes on Flo
Senior transfer Florentino Junior was named to the ACC Preseason Watch List. The two-time NJCAA National Champion and 2024 NJCAA All-American will be a key piece for the Golden Bears entering the 2026 season.
STAY POSTED
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