Oct. 27, 2001

Box Score

BERKELEY - To say that No. 20 Stanford and No. 17 California are evenly matched teams would be a bit of an understatement. Dating back to last year, the Cardinal has a 4-3 scoring edge spanning four games. Today's contest wasn't any different as the Bears (10-4, 5-1) prevailed in double overtime, 1-0, over visiting Stanford (9-7, 5-1) at Kleeberger Field.

The lone goal came when senior Elizabeth Harkins gained possession of her own rebound. Stanford keeper Rebecca Shapiro was caught out of position after Harkins' original shot. Harkins corralled the ball and setup Nora Feddersen, who came down the slot with an open goal in front of her, putting home the game-winner past a diving Shapiro at 11:17 of double overtime.

"I don't even know what happened," said Feddersen. "It was Liz (Harkins), I think, who got me the ball and I just hit it in."

Feddersen's team-leading ninth goal of the season wasn't the only opportunity for either team. With 24:47 remaining in the first half, Cal's Emily Rowlen stopped Liz Ott cold on a penalty stroke as the junior keeper dove to her right side for a chest save to keep the game scoreless.

The stroke was Stanford's best opportunity of the game, but not the only scoring chance by far.

The first half saw the Cardinal take six penalty corner opportunities, failing to score, however on any of them. Cal also misfired on its corners, attempting three in the first period.

Known for its slow starts, the Bears had a hard time in the opening period as Stanford controlled the ball and dictated the pace of the game. The tide started to shift in the second half as Cal began to cut down on passing mistakes and began encroaching far into Cardinal territory.

"I think we started off slowly," said Harkins, one of two team captains. "I know we could play good hockey and finish off strong"."

The senior's words were right as the Bears came out in the seven-on-seven overtime format with some firepower. Cal drew four penalty corners and exceeded its shot total in all of regulation (five) as the Bears launched seven shots at Shapiro in just 15 minutes of overtime play.

Although they failed to score in the first OT, the Bear started to wear on the Stanford defenders and finally broke through, four minutes into the second OT as Harkins took a shot at the Cardinal's senior keeper. The shot bounced right back to Harkins who saw Feddersen wide open for the score.

Stanford clinched a share of the NorPac regular season title with its 2-0 win over Saint Louis Tuesday and was gunning for its first outright conference title since 1998 with a win over Cal Saturday afternoon.

The victory gave the Bears a share of first place in the NorPac West Division with the Cardinal, but awarded Cal the No. 1 seed in the NorPac Postseason Tournament. With the teams splitting the season series, and the season goal tally for the two games tied, 1-1, the edge went to the Bears in terms of the teams' performance against common nonconference opponents, the third tie breaker. Cal beat Delaware, 2-1, while Stanford lost to the Blue Hens, 1-0, earlier in season.

"Its great to end the season on this note," said head coach Shellie Onstead.

"This was wonderful," added Harkins. "My last game at home, with tons of people watching. I couldn't ask for anything more. It was wonderful."

The Bears head to the NorPac Postseason Tournament as the No. 1 seed for the third consecutive year. Cal will play its first tournament game Thursday, Nov. 1 with game time to be announced. The conference tournament takes place this season in Boone, N.C., hosted by Appalachian State.

Field Hockey Result at Kleeberger Field
Berkeley

                1   2	OT  2OT    Tot
Stanford        0   0   0   0      0
California      0   0   0   1      1

Goals:
CAL - Nora Feddersen 88:43 (Unassisted)

Shots: California 8, California - 13

Saves: Stanford (Rebecca Shapiro) 9, Cal (Emily Rowlen) - 5

Penalty Corners: Stanford 9, California -  9

Record: - Stanford 9-7 (5-1), California - 10-4 (5-1)