Cal Falls To The Ducks
BERKELEY - The California Golden Bears dropped to a 4-3-0 (2-3-0 Pac-12) record after a 1-0 loss to Oregon on Friday night. Oregon (5-3-2, Pac-12 3-2-1) took an early lead in sixth minute that would ultimately become the gamewinner.
The Ducks' attack took control early on and earned back-to-back corners in the fifth and sixth minute. Chai Cortez's second corner would fly straight past the Cal defenders and into the back of the net. The Bears would spend the remainder of the game looking for an equalizer.
The Ducks' offense continued to challenge Cal goalkeeper Angelina Anderson early on with a shot in the 10th minute that earned Anderson a save. Ally Cook took the fifth Oregon shot in the 21st minute that was an easy save for the reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week.
The Cal attack finally found its way to the final third in the 29th minute and earned the first corner for the Bears. The corner kick was deflected by Oregon out towards Cal defender Maya Evans near midfield. Evans took a long-range shot in the 21st minute that was just barely punched away by Oregon keeper Leah Freeman by the right post. The Bears would keep control in their attacking third and Mia Fontana sent a powerful shot that Freeman saved by left post at the 37th minute. Cal continued to test the Oregon keeper when Jadyn Shinn hit a shot just seconds later that was once again saved.
The Bears earned another corner in the 41st minute but were unable to convert before the end of the half.
Cal had a strong opening in the second half when Emma Westin took a fierce shot in the 46th minute that sent Freeman to the bottom left for a save. Freeman rolled the ball out towards an Oregon defender, but it was tackled away by Abena Aidoo and deflected back out by Oregon to earn the Bears a third corner.
After a few failed shots from the Oregon attack, Cal found its way to the penalty box again, and Lily Arbabaraghi went for a shot in the 63rd minute that Freeman punched out of bounds and gave another Cal corner. The Cal attack would continue to threaten the Ducks but could not convert from the next three shots.
The Bears' last hope came just eight seconds before the end of regulation when they earned a free kick at midfield. Evans sent the ball to down to the final third, but the Bears could not find a clear shot.
Cal looks to rebound on Sunday afternoon when the Bears face the Oregon State Beavers at 1:30 p.m. on Witter Rugby Field. This game will not count towards conference standings.