March 14, 2001

BERKELEY, Calif. - A huge second half and determined play in overtime led to a stunning come-from-behind victory for California Wednesday afternoon as the Bears defeated visiting Bucknell University, 12-11, inside Memorial Stadium. Freshman midfielder Julianne Wu led Cal in scoring with three goals including the game-tying goal to send the Bears into overtime with just 0:29 remaining in regulation and the eventual overtime winner.

California (4-3 overall, 0-2 in the WWLL) found itself down 9-5 to the Bison at halftime. That's about when the Bears decided they'd had enough. Freshman attacker Emily Edwards scored just 1:29 into the second stanza, igniting a 5-1 run in the second half that culminated in Wu's 0:29 goal, tying the game at 10-10.

"We needed to do the things that we do well, like scoring off the fast break," said California head coach Jill Malko. "Getting possession of the draw controls was crucial and we were able to shut down (Suzanne Raffaele), who was just killing us in the first half."

A sophomore attacker, Raffaele scored five goals for Bucknell (0-3 overall) in the first half before being stifled in the second half when Malko moved senior midfielder Sarah Wheatley into defensive duties against Raffaele.

"I have to give credit to Kristin (Lucas) for suggesting putting Sarah on Raffaele," said Malko of her assistant coach's recommendation. "Sarah did a fantastic job. Our whole defense did. That was a huge turning point for us."

It was Raffaele scoring first in the opening period of overtime, handing Bucknell an 11-10 lead with 2:16 remaining. But California found an answer in sophomore attacker Britni Must, who after being leveled in front of the Bison cage got right back up and nailed a free position shot to tie the game 11-11 with 0:48 remaining in that first overtime period.

A familiar face in a previous clutch situation, Wu stepped it up again in the second overtime period, hitting the back of the net with 0:59 remaining in the second overtime to hand the Bears a 12-11 victory.

"Overtime was just a carryover of the second half," said Malko. "We had the momentum and I knew if we kept it, we'd win. Everyone on attack played well. There was a lot more movement today."

The win advances California's winning streak to four games heading into Saturday's WWLL contest against St. Mary's College inside Memorial Stadium at 4:00 p.m. Freshman attacker Colleen O'Mara continued her offensive presence against Bucknell, recording a goal and an assist to push her totals over the last four games to five goals and four assists.

GOALS: Cal - Wu 3, Must 2, LeMoult 1, Wheatley 1, Kado 1, Edwards 1, Monger 1, Liu 1, O'Mara 1, Bucknell - Raffaele 6, Nuss 2, Holiday 2, Hasler 1. ASSISTS: Cal - Edwards 1, Monger 1, O'Mara 1, Bucknell - Montefusco 3, A. Evans 3, Nuss 1, Holiday 1, K. Evans 1. SAVES: Cal - Coelho 5, Bucknell - Kallis 17. SHOTS: Cal 31, Bucknell 20.