Cal Outlasts Portland At The End
PORTLAND - California women's soccer left it until the end of the game, but the Bears were able to score twice in the final seven minutes to claim a 2-0 win vs. Portland on Friday evening at Merlo Field.
Cal opened the scoring in the 84th minute as Rilee Harmon blasted a shot from 25 yards away. A Portland defender was able to block it, but the ball fell into the path of Anysa Gray. Gray dribbled past a defender and then slotted the ball to the back post from the left side of the box.
The Pilots pushed forward after the goal, looking to find an equalizer, but the Bears caught them on a counter attack as Abena Aidoo sent a long ball over the top. Karlie Lema used her speed to get past the defense, she feigned to get the goalie off balance and put the ball home to her right to make the score 2-0 in the 90th minute. It was Lema's first career goal as the freshman scored in only her third career game.
The win was a culmination of good play from the Bears as they outshot Portland, 17-9, and had control of the majority of possession throughout the game. However, they weren't able to find a breakthrough until the very end.
Cal came out aggressive early, getting three shots off in the first five minutes of the game and six shots in the first 18 minutes. The Bears totaled nine shots in the first half, taking the game to the Pilots.
The Bears' best chance of the first half came on a cross from Gray. The Bears played a pretty combination to get the ball wide, then Gray whipped the ball into the box, but it flashed in front of Noelle Bond-Flasza's outstretched leg.
In the 41st minute, Portland was awarded a penalty kick for a foul on Emily Smith. Freshman Cally Togiai stepped up for the Pilots. She shot the ball to Angelina Anderson's left, but the Cal goalkeeper was able to make the save look comfortable and preserve the tie as the teams headed to halftime. Anderson has not given up a goal in either game she's played this year, posting shutouts vs. UC San Diego and Portland. She now has 15 career shutouts.
Keely Roy came closest to scoring in the opening 30 minutes of the second half. The junior received the ball on the left wing, made a nice move and clipped the ball over the keeper to the back post, but the ball hit the top of the crossbar and caromed out of play.
The Bears will be back in action on Sunday as they host Saint Mary's (CA) at Edwards Stadium. This will be the first matchup in five years between the Gaels and the Bears, and it will kick off at 4 p.m. and be streamed live. Admission for all of Cal's non-conference matchups are free, including the matchup vs. Saint Mary's (CA).