HONOLULU – Friday night's Top 20 matchup in the 2015 season openers for No. 18 California and No. 19 BYU saw the Bears control the majority of possession, but the Cougars scored a goal in each half to claim a 2-0 victory in the first game of the Outrigger Resorts Classic in Honolulu.

The Golden Bears claimed a commanding 8-3 advantage in shots on goal in the contest, including two each by Arielle Ship and Samantha Witteman, but the Cougars were the team able to take advantage of their chances and hold on to the lead with goals in the 9th and 74th minutes at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Elena Medeiros put BYU on the board at 8:11 with a strike that she rifled under the crossbar to take the early 1-0 lead. Ashley Hatch, last season's WCC Co-Player of the Year, added the insurance goal at 73:05 as the Bears drop their first season opener since 2011.

The Bears pressed BYU goalkeeper Rachel Boaz into making eight saves on the night compared to just one by Cal's Emily Boyd. Cal also earned seven corner kicks to BYU's six. Defensively, the Golden Bear backline held the Cougar forwards in check, forcing BYU into six offsides calls while limiting their forwards to just one shot on goal in 90 minutes – the one being Hatch's 74th minute goal.

"Credit goes to BYU and Coach Rockwell as they were the more effective team on the night and deserved the victory," McGuire said.

Two Golden Bears made their California debuts in junior midfielder Emma Fletcher and freshman attacker Miranda Nild. Senior Ifeoma Onumonu also returned to action after missing the majority of the 2014 season with a leg injury.

The Bears take on host Hawaii Sunday night in a game that kicks off at 8 p.m. PT.

Head Coach Neil McGuire
"Both players and coaches are disappointed with our overall performance tonight as we never settled into our rhythm. We battled hard but didn't take our chances."

Goal Summary
8:11, BYU – Elena Medeiros (Nadia Gomes) – Rocketed a strike under the crossbar
73:05, BYU – Ashley Hatch (-) – Unassisted

News & Notes
● Cal moves to 27-6-1 all-time in season openers. The Bears also move to 4-2-0 in openers held at a neutral site.
● Head Coach Neil McGuire is now 7-2-0 in season openers as the head coach of the California program.
● Friday was Cal's first game against opposing competition this summer after completing preseason without playing an exhibition game against another program
● California and BYU have now split the last two meetings between the two teams although the Cougars still hold a 4-1-0 series advantage.
● Junior Emma Fletcher and freshman Miranda Nild made their Golden Bear debuts Friday.
● Senior Ifeoma Onumonu returned to action after missing most of 2014 with a leg injury.

On The Horizon
California remains in Honolulu to take on host Hawaii in Sunday's game at the Outrigger Resorts Soccer Classic. The Bears and 'Bows kickoff at 8 p.m. PT.