Cal Wraps Up Non-Conference Play With Win
LONG BEACH – The California women's soccer team wrapped up non-conference play with a 2-0 win over Long Beach State on Sunday at George Allen Field.
After a first half that saw Cal dominate the possession and chances, but unable to take the lead. The Bears were much more clinical in the second half as Karlie Lema and Ari Manrique scored less than four minutes apart to hand the Bears the win.
Lema notched her third of the season to open the scoring in the 53rd minute. Amaya Gray was streaking down the right flank and drew two defenders before playing a through ball into Lema which left the freshman one-on-one with the goalie. Lema coolly slotted the ball home to put the Bears in front.
In the 56th minute, Gray was again at the center of the action as she took a pass from Skylar Briggs at the corner of the box, and made a move to get around the Long Beach defender. The defender took down Gray and the Bears were awarded a penalty kick. Manrique converted the penalty kick to the keeper's left to put the Bears up 2-0.
The Bears dominated the opening stanza of the game, recording five shots and forcing three saves in the first 10 minutes. Paige Metayer made a great move to get the ball on her left foot, and her shot was saved onto the post. Emily Smith had an excellent chance with a header off a corner kick, which was floated to the back post, but the header went over the bar.
Amaya Gray had another great opportunity as the Bears high press was able to turn over Long Beach in the offensive half. Ari Manrique won the ball and played in Gray, who had her shot deflected into the goalie's path.
It was all part of a dominant first 45 minutes, which saw the Bears outshoot the Beach by a 13-2 margin, while forcing six saves from Long Beach's Morgan Houston-Shepherd. Overall, the Bears outshot Long Beach by a 22-4 margin, with 12 shots on goal.
The Bears will start Pac-12 play on Saturday against Colorado. The Bears will host the Buffs at Edwards Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff. That will be the first of a three-game homestand to open conference play for the Bears as they will host Oregon and Oregon State the following week.