Bears Beat New Hampshire, 5-1

BURLINGTON, VT - After scoring 90 seconds into the start of the match for the second straight contest, the California field hockey team beat New Hampshire, 5-1, in a neutral-site match Saturday afternoon at Moulton Winder Field on the Vermont campus. The five goals were a season best. 

The Golden Bears improved to 4-6, 3-4 on the year. Cal was relentless on the offensive attack all day, scoring in each of the four quarters. 

"I'm really happy with the early scoring, it's been a real focus for us," said the Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstead. "It's a learning process. This just didn't start happening because of luck. We've put a lot of work into this. This is a young team. I'm proud of them because they're staying on task and not getting caught up in outcomes and results. We're just staying in the process."

Nearly identical to Thursday's contest, Maddie Cleat scored 90 seconds after first push. Rachel Buttinger earned an assist on the first tally of the match, and Buttinger scored Cal's second goal later in the first quarter when she tipped in a shot from Brynn Zorilla. 

Kiki de Bruijne notched her third goal of the season in the second quarter. She took a slapshot from the top of the circle that beat the keeper and found the back of the cage. 

Cleat garnered her second goal of the day in the third quarter, scooping up a rebound and scoring. Cleat is now the team leader this season in goals (4) and points (10).

A key staple in the backfield, Yvie Lock got in on the scoring fun as she notched Cal's fifth tally in the fourth quarter. It was Lock's second career goal. Sara Stone earned the assist on the score. 

The Bears also emptied the bench with every player participating on Saturday. 

Cato Knipping made six saves, allowing just one goal. 

Cal closes out the spring season tomorrow at 11 am PT against Vermont. 

"One to go for us now," Onstead said. "Finishing with a .500 conference record, given our 0-3 start, would be a big accomplishment. I knew it would come down to this week and with tiebreakers, so we just tried to put ourselves in a position to win those tiebreakers. We have a good setup for next year."