No. 10 Bears Fall in Home Opener

BERKELEY - Tenth-ranked California fell short in a 2-1 loss to Colorado (4-1-1, 1-0-1 Pac-12) on Friday afternoon at Witter Rugby Field. 

The loss marks the first Cal loss of the season with the Golden Bears now at a 2-1-0 (1-1-0 Pac-12) record. Goalkeeper Angelina Anderson collected a single save in the second half. 

Cal started off quick with Keely Roy taking back-to-back shots in the seventh minute. Roy had a nice look at close range for her first shot, but Buffaloes' goalkeeper Dani Hansen made the save. The Bears and the Buffs would continue to go back and forth between shots, both teams collecting eight shots in the first half. 

Colorado's Lawson Willis earned a corner kick in the 41st minute. Defender Hannah Sharts collected off of Willis's kick and scored the first goal for the Buffaloes, putting the Bears at a 1-0 deficit. 

The Golden Bear defense held Colorado to just three shots in the second half, but Shanade Hopcroft snuck a goal in at the 67th minute that gave Colorado the 2-0 lead. 

In the 78th minute, Cal defender Sydney Collins stole possession of the ball from midfield and made a solo dribble all the way to the box. Collins scored the first goal of her Cal career in the 79th minute, cutting the Cal deficit 2-1. 

Cal maintained consistent control of the ball for the final 10 minutes, but the Buffaloes' defense left little room for opportunity. Cal possessed the ball in the final third in the dying minutes but could not create a goal. 

The Bears return to Witter Rugby Field on Sunday, March 7 at 3 p.m. against Utah. 

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).
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