STANFORD, Calif. – Sophomore goalkeeper Dakota Churchill tallied a career-high eight saves in a brazen performance in just her second career start, but California field hockey dropped a 2-0 decision at Stanford on Sunday afternoon. The Golden Bears fall to 4-10 overall, and 1-3 in America East play.
 
Churchill was not on the team roster until earlier this week, when head coach Shellie Onstead invited her to fill in for Cal's goalies, who are both out with injuries. Churchill had just two saves in her entire freshman season last year, spread between three appearances and less than 41 total minutes in goal. She notched 62 minutes in the goal against Stanford.
 
"Cody was spectacular," Onstead said.
 
The Bears produced just six shots in the entire game, with two shots on goal apiece for Lindsay Mathison and Mara Gutierrez. Meanwhile, the Cardinal outshot the Bears 15-6 and earned the 9-3 advantage in penalty corners for the game.
 
"Stanford's a great team, and we didn't do ourselves any favors today," Onstead said.
 
Stanford shot on frame eight times in the first half. Churchill saved seven, and Keats Iwanaga added a defensive save to her total. The Cardinal outshot the Bears 11-1, with Gutierrez launching Cal's lone shot on goal in the first half.
 
Katie Keyser broke the stalemate at 58:31 to put the Cardinal on the board by tipping a ball into the cage with the assist by Lucy Dikeou.
 
Stanford's Fran Tew added the team's second goal less than 10 minutes later, tipping a ball shot from the edge of the circle into the bottom right of the net.
 
HEAD COACH SHELLIE ONSTEAD'S TAKE
On overall performance:
"Stanford's a great team. We didn't do ourselves any favors today. Cody was spectacular."
 
STANFORD'S GOAL
58:31 – Katie Keyser (assisted by Lucy Dikeou)
 
67:42 – Fran Tew (assisted by Jordan Barry)
 
NEXT UP
The Bears wrap up regular-season road action at UC Davis on Friday, Oct. 28 at 3 p.m.