Sept. 5, 2005

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BERKELEY - The California field hockey team (2-3, 0-0 NorPac) defeated Syracuse (1-2, 0-0 Big East) 3-1 Monday afternoon at Maxwell Family Field in Berkeley.

Senior Teela Crosthwaite scored early for the Bears with her first of two goals. Crosthwaite's goal came after a shot attempt by senior Chilly Banuelos was blocked by Syracuse' goalkepper Heather Hess. Crosthwaite added to her season goals in the middle of the second period, when she scored off a pass from freshman Andrea Lo.

"I was excited to score two goals today," Teela Crosthwaite said after the game on Monday. "We're still working on figuring out what works, but things are falling into place. We have two really big games next weekend, but we are getting better and better."

Junior Valentina Godfrid scored in the second period off a drag flick, she had been perfecting for the past two years. "Our captain actually misread my signal, and called the drag flick," said head coach Shellie Onstead. "The shot was great, she (Valentina) had been working for a long time. It's very easy for men to do, but difficult for women to master."

Goalkeeper Veronica Sykes tallied four saves, three of Sykes' saves came in the second period. In the final two minutes of the game the Orange slipped past Sykes with their lone goal by Ashley Fry.

"We did well today," Onstead said. "We had a few injuries and played people in positions they normally do not play in. We were able to play everyone when we went up by three goals. It was good to be able to rest the starters for next weekend."

The Bears travel next to Maryland for three games. On Thursday Cal faces UMBC in College, Park, M.D. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. (EST).