Cal Comes Back To Earn Draw

BERKELEY – The California women's soccer team came back from a 2-0 deficit and earned a tie in the Pac-12 opener against Colorado on Saturday at Edwards Stadium.
 
The Bears fell behind in the first half as Colorado scored back-to-back goals inside of 10 minutes. Hannah Sharts provided a long throw, Shyra James flicked it onto the back post and Shanade Hopcroft pounced on it to put the Buffaloes up one. Just 79 seconds later, Lawson Willis took a shot, which Cal's Angelina Anderson deflected onto the bar. However, Allie Palangi got to the loose ball first and fired a shot that deflected into the back of the net.
 
"We were hoping not to go down a goal, or even two goals," head coach Neil McGuire said. "For them to score in the manner they did, we worked on that all week knowing set pieces was one of their strengths. It put our team on its heels. At halftime, we regrouped. The players believe in themselves and believe in each other and came out ready."
 
The Bears responded early in the second half as Karlie Lema notched her fourth goal of the season in the 51st minute. Sydney Collins created the goal as the center back took the ball into the offensive half. She got around the defense on the right flank, got to the end line and centered a cross, which Lema headed home to bring the Bears within one.
 
Collins again turned creator on the Bears' second goal as she got down the right flank. She got the goal line and played a ball back, which Abby Borchers was able to latch onto and place in the net. Borchers' 77th minute strike evened the game and set up overtime. Borchers' goal was the fifth Cal has scored in the 75th minute or later this year.
 
"Sydney Collins is a player that can play in any number of positions and do really well," McGuire said. "She's an outstanding centerback, but she can play further forward because of her athleticism and her skill set. We just wanted to get that closer to goal. Playing her as an outside midfielder or forward allows her penetration to be more effective and contributed to two goals."
 
The Bears had a 5-2 advantage in shots as they came out of halftime with much more energy and it showed in the scoreline. Colorado took five shots in the overtime period as both teams pushed for the winner, but the Bears were able to keep them out and earn a draw.
 
The Bears will continue a three-game homestand to open Pac-12 play as they take on Oregon and Oregon State next week.  The Bears will host the Ducks at Edwards Stadium for a 4 p.m. kickoff on Thursday. That will be followed by a Sunday tilt vs. Oregon State, which will kick off at 1 p.m.