Cal vs #15 Colorado
Thursday, Oct. 18 | 12:00 PM PT | Edwards Stadium | Berkeley, Calif. | Pac-12 Networks
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Cal vs Utah
Sunday, Oct. 21 | 12:30 PM PT | Edwards Stadium | Berkeley, Calif.
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BERKELEY – After playing its last three games on the road, the Cal women's soccer team returns to Berkeley this week, continuing its run of Pac-12 play. Unbeaten in its last two outings, the Golden Bears (5-7-2, 1-4-1 Pac-12) take on 15^th-ranked Colorado (12-0-3, 4-0-2 Pac-12) at Noon PT on Thursday, before a 12:30 p.m. matchup on Sunday against Utah (7-6-1, 4-2-0 Pac-12).

Cal picked up points on the road in its last two matches, playing Arizona to a 3-3 draw in Tucson its last time out. The Bears now prepare to face Colorado and Utah sides that enter the weekend with momentum of their own. The Buffaloes, ranked 15^th in the lasted United Soccer Coaches Poll, are unbeaten on the season while the Utes have won their last four matches.

"We're very pleased with the ability to take points on the road, but coming back to Goldman [Field] is always exciting," said Cal head coach Neil McGuire. "Colorado and Utah are both exceptional opponents. They play different styles so our preparation will have to be on point, but I think our team will be ready."

Playing its first home game since September 30, Cal looks to build open a strong offensive showing Saturday against the Wildcats. Abi Kim, Miranda Nild, and Anja Koehler all found the back of the net for the Bears, while sophomore defender Kai Henderson recorded her first collegiate point, assisting Koehler's header goal late in the first half.

Kim and sophomore Emma Westin lead the Bears in scoring this season with four goals apiece, while Westin, Nild, and junior midfielder Mia Corbin have all dished out three assists on the year.

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Olivia Sekany made a career-high seven saves against Arizona and is likely to be called into action again this weekend. Colorado is averaging 2.87 goals per game on the season, tops in the Pac-12 and the second-most by any team in Division I this season.

Cal beat both Colorado and Utah last season on the road, earning a 1-0 win over the Buffs before ending the Rocky Mountain road trip with a 2-0 victory in Salt Lake City.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Thursday's match against the Wildcats will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks with Kate Scott and Kelly Gray on the call. Live stats will be available for both matches this weekend, with additional updates available by following the Bears on Twitter (@CalWSoc) and Instagram (@CalWSoc).

LAST TIME OUT
Despite several key contributors missing from the lineup, the Cal women's soccer team earned its second consecutive result on the road, playing Arizona to a 3-3 double-overtime draw Saturday night in Tucson. The Golden Bears matched their season-high with three goals scored in the match, as Kim, Nild, and Koehler all found the back of the net. Cal took a 3-1 lead shortly after halftime as Nild converted from the penalty spot, but was unable to hold off the Wildcats' comeback. Despite quality chances by the hosts down the stretch, Cal remained strong through overtime and recorded its second draw of the year.  

The result was made even more impressive as the Bears played without starting defenders Emily Smith and Morgan Rogers for the majority of the match, both leaving the game due to injury. Yet head coach Neil McGuire was impressed with his youthful team's ability to respond to adversity on the road.

"The resolve of the team was probably the most impressive thing about tonight's game," said McGuire. "Despite losing two defenders pretty early in the game and adjusting our shape on the fly, I thought our girls responded really, really well. Obviously, credit to Arizona for coming back and scoring two goals to tie it up, but this is a fantastic result for our girls."

SCOUTING THE BUFFALOES
Moving up into the Top-15 of the national rankings, Colorado is off to the best start in program history. At 13-0-2 on the season, Colorado is one of only three unbeaten teams remaining in Division I women's soccer and tied the program record for the most consecutive games played without a loss. The Buffs previous 15-game unbeaten streak came during the 2003 season.

The 2018 season has seen a Buffaloes team that has found the back of the net regularly. Colorado has scored 43 goals so far this season, tied for the second-most in program history and currently the second-most by any team in the nation. Colorado boasts the top three point scorers in the Pac-12 this season in Jorian Baucom (27 points - 11 goals, 5 assists), Tatum Barton (25 points – 11 goals, 3 assists), and Taylor Kornieck (21 points - 6 goals, 9 assists). Baucom, a redshirt senior, and Barton, a junior, rank in the Top 20 nationally in scoring while Kornieck had a brace in Colorado's most recent win, converting from the penalty spot twice in a 4-1 win over Oregon.

Along with a high-powered offense, Colorado's defense has been among the best in the conference this season, allowing just eight goals. Redshirt junior Jalen Tompkins leads the conference with a 0.908 save percentage this season and is tied from second in the Pac-12 with 59 saves on the season.

Danny Sanchez is in his seventh season as head coach of the Buffs, leading Colorado to four trips to the NCAA Tournament. Colorado returns seven starters from last years' squad that went 10-6-4 and reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

SCOUTING THE UTES
After dropping its first two matches in Pac-12 play, Utah enters the weekend on a four-game winning streak, all coming via shutout. The Utes has not allowed a goal in its last 368 minutes of play, the last goal conceded coming against Arizona in doubleovertime on September 30.

Leading Utah's defense this season is junior goalkeeper Carly Nelson, who was named the Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week on October 9, after leading the Utes to shutout-wins over Washington and then-No. 7 Washington State. Nelson ranks second in the Pac-12 with six shutouts on the season and ranks fourth in save percentage.

Senior Paola van der Veen leads Utah in scoring with six goals this season while junior Ireland Dunn has a team-high four assists on the year to go along with four goals of her own.

Rich Manning is in his 17^th season as the Utah head women's soccer coach, leading the Utes to seven NCAA Tournament appearances in his tenure.

Utah opens the weekend at Stanford, taking on the top-ranked Cardinal Thursday at 5 p.m. PT on the Farm.

NEXT UP
The Bears will be back on the road next weekend, for their final road trip of the season. Cal heads to Pullman, Washington to take on No. 22 Washington State on Thursday, October 25, before wrapping up the weekend in Seattle, taking on former Golden Bear great Lesle Gallimore and the Washington Huskies on Sunday, October 28.

2018 TICKETS
Tickets are available for sale for the 2018 Cal women's soccer season. Admission is $10 for adults,$5 for seniors, and $5 for youth. Cal students and staff receive free admission with a valid ID and entry is free for ages 13 and below Monday through Thursday. For more information on tickets or group rates, call the Gold Standard Sales and Service line at (800) GO BEARS (462-3277) or visit the CalBears.com ticket page.

STAY POSTED
Keep up-to-date on the Golden Bears throughout the year by following the team on Twitter (@CalWSoc), Instagram (@CalWSoc), and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWSoc).