Nov. 6, 2009

Box Score

STANFORD - Sophomore Erin Magill scored twice, helping the California field hockey team shut out Radford, 3-0, in the semifinals of the NorPac Tournament on Friday at Stanford to advance to Saturday's final. Freshman Kendra Bills recorded Cal's other score. The Golden Bears improved to 8-10 on the season, while Radford, the top seed in the East division, ends its season with an overall record of 10-10.

"We didn't have our best outing in the first round, but we played better today," head coach Shellie Onstead said. "I'm excited about tomorrow. I've been waiting for this game for exactly one year. I enjoy being the underdog, and I think it's kind of funny how it's a role reversal from last year. Stanford's had a great year and they're a good team. It should be a great game tomorrow."

Magill opened the scoring with her first goal in the 20th minute. As she's done all season long, Magill blasted a shot past the Radford keeper on a converted penalty corner. Junior Natalie Nurnberg and freshman Deanna Kennedy tallied the assists. Magill earned her second goal of the day in the 39th minute the same way as the first. Nurnberg and Kennedy notched assists on that goal, as well.

With her two scores today, Magill now leads the team with nine goals, and her 21 points on the year ranks second on the team.

Sandwiched between Magill's goals was the first goal of the season for Bills, who was able to get a shot off after the ball went through multiple Radford defenders.

"I kept telling everybody not to worry about our record in the regular season," Onstead said. "As long as our freshmen kept developing during the season, we would be ready for the tournament. Our freshmen played great today. The harder that they work to get better, the more it pushes everybody else. We're in a great position right now."

The Bears amassed nine corners to Radford's one, while Cal also outshot Radford, 10-6.

Sunday's final will be a rematch of the 2008 NorPac final between Cal and Stanford. The Bears split the 2009 regular-season series with the Cardinal.

The winner of the NorPac Tournament final earns a spot in a Nov. 10 NCAA play-in game hosted by the champion of the America East Conference.