Cal Falls 15-5 To No. 15 Denver
BERKELEY – Liz Scott registered her second hat trick in Cal's first four games but her performance wasn't enough in the Golden Bears' 15-5 loss to No. 15/15 Denver on Sunday at TFX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Scott's final two goals came in the final 1:44 of a contest in which Denver had built a 15-3 advantage. Scott also scored Cal's second goal of the game on an assist from Catherine Roxas just before the midway mark of the second period 8:07 prior to the intermission.
Cal's other two goals were scored by Amanda Morse and Kennedy Mason with Morse picking up her team-leading ninth goal of the campaign unassisted with 5:11 to go in the first and the rookie Mason scoring for the second straight contest this time with 2:14 remaining in the second period on an assist from Lily Berger to pull Cal within 7-3 at the intermission despite giving up seven of the first eight goals in the contest.
Bea Behrins led a Denver squad that dominated play throughout the contest with five goals including two in the opening quarter while adding an assist. Freshman Caroline Colimore had a career-high four goals with Behrins assist coming on her fourth and final goal with 5:02 to go in the game. Julia Gilbert added three unassisted goals for the Pioneers, while Lauren Black had two goals and one assist and Charlotte Boote had a single tally. Ellie Curry and Raegan Wilson each had an assist.
Denver scored seven of the game's first eight goals and led 7-1 after Colimore scored unassisted with 9:46 to go in the second quarter before the second-period goals by Scott and Mason brought Cal within 7-3 at the break.
remembered her during a halftime ceremony today.
But after going scoreless for over 14 minutes of play, Behrins got Denver back on track with back-to-back goals at 10:27 and 5:55 of the third period before Colimore unassisted and Boote on an assist the Black extend the Pioneers' lead to 11-3 at the end of three. Denver also got the first four goals of the fourth from Black, Behrins and Colimore with the final two coming from the rookie.
Riley Drulinger had 14 saves for the Bears.
"The bright spots were Riley [Drulinger]," Cal head coach Brooke Eubanks said. "She had 14 saves today and she's just really stepping up."
Cal (0-4) concludes a three-game homestand with a non-conference contest against UC Davis (1-0) at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 26 (2 pm PT).
CAL DEDICATES TODAY'S GAME TO STEPHANIE SMITH
Former Cal lacrosse player the late Stephanie Smith was honored during a halftime ceremony at today's game. Smith, who played at Cal from 2006-09, passed away from cancer in 2018. Cal lacrosse student-athletes wore Steph Strong t-shirts and several of Steph's Cal teammates were in attendance.