On The Road At No. 24
SEATTLE - The 24th-ranked Golden Bears (3-1-0; 2-1-0 Pac-12) look to extend their undefeated streak on the road as they face Washington. California takes on the No. 22 Huskies at Husky Soccer Stadium on Sunday, March 14, at 2 p.m.
Cal was originally slated to play Washington State on March 12 in Pullman. Due to recent COVID-19 protocol developments within the Washington State soccer program, the Bears' Friday match against the Cougars has been canceled. The game will not be rescheduled.
The Bears are 2-0 on the road after their first away weekend in Oregon. The Bears stacked a 3-1 win against Oregon State in Corvallis and defeated Oregon 1-0 in their first shutout of the season.
Cal travels north following a 1-1-0 opening weekend at home. The Bears suffered their first loss of the season against Colorado despite outshooting the Buffaloes 18-11. Cal rebounded on Sunday with a win against Utah after Keely Roy scored her first Cal goal off an assist from Emma Westin. Cal's 1-0 win against the Utes marked the second clean sheet of the season for the Cal defense. Angelina Anderson collected a season-high five saves against the Utes.
The Bears face their first ranked opponent on Sunday against the Huskies, who rank No.22 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. The Huskies are currently not ranked in the TopDrawerSoccer poll.
Sunday's competition will be televised by Pac-12 Bay Area and Pac-12 Mountain. Fans can also follow along via live stats or by following @CalWSoc on twitter for live updates.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Cal looks to defeat an undefeated Husky team that has posted four shutouts in six games this season. The Huskies have allowed only two goals.
Cal must keep an eye on a Washington attack that has collected nine total goals this season. The Huskies hold a well-rounded offense with Summer Yates, Ameera Hussen and Ruby Hellstrom each with two goals so far this spring. Washington defender Mary Johnston has also been a spark in the attack for the Huskies with two goals and an assist. The Bears must look out for playmaker Olivia Van der Jagt, who has gathered three assists in the last three games for the Huskies.
The Bears last saw the Huskies at home in 2019, when the Bears were blanked in a 1-0 loss. The lone goal from the 2019 matchup was assisted by Van der Jagt.
Overall, the Huskies lead the series 15-13-1 and have won the past two matchups against the Bears.
BEARS ON THE BALL
In the first four games of the season, Cal has outscored opponents 6-3. The Bears have outshot opponents 56-47, averaging about 14 shots per game. Cal has outshot opponents in three of four games, with Utah being the only team able match the Bears in shots at 13-13.
WESTIN SEEING DOUBLE
Senior midfielder Emma Westin collected her second assist of the season following a give-and-go pass to Keely Roy against Utah. Westin had already collected two goals of her own during Cal's opening weekend against Oregon State and Oregon. Westin in total has collected two goals, two assists, and six shots this season.
DOUBLE-EDGED DEFENSE
In addition to helping tally two clean sheets so far this season, three Cal defenders have made it to the enemy penalty box. Both Kailee Gifford and Maya Evans made a shot attempt against Utah on March 7. Cal defender Sydney Collins collected her first collegiate goal against Colorado on March 7. Collins tackled the ball away from a Buffalo forward and made a long dribbling run from midfield before scoring unassisted.
IN THE ONE HUNDRED
Cal's Angelina Anderson (GK) and Emily Smith (D) were both named to the MAC Hermann Award Watch List. The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually to the top male and female college soccer players. Both Bears were also selected in the National Top 100 on TopDrawerSoccer.
Both Anderson and Smith enter the 2020-21 season with great success to build off of. The duo received All-American honors at the end of the 2019 season - Anderson was selected as a second-team All-American and Smith garnered second-team Scholar All-America honors.
DRAFT DAY
Racing Louiville FC selected senior defender Emily Smith in the second round of the 2021 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Draft. Smith, chosen with the 31st overall pick, will report to Louisville following the 2020-21 season.
IN THE POLLS
The Bears drop to no. 24 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings after facing their first loss of the season last week. Now 3-1-0, the Bears also rank No. 16 in the TopDrawerSoccer poll.
UP NEXT
Cal takes a trip to the Farm on March 20 at 7:30 p.m. for a nonconference rivalry game against the Cardinal.
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).