Cal vs. Northeastern
BERKELEY --Â California field hockey is back in Berkeley for the first time in three seasons, hosting Northeastern in the inaugural game at Underhill Field to open the 2016 season on Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is free, and parking as available in the Underhill Parking Structure directly underneath the field.
The Golden Bears spent the last two seasons playing neutral-site games using the turfs of fellow Bay Area squads while awaiting completion of their new turf. Cal's former home was Maxwell Field, which has since been converted to a multipurpose field and parking garage. The Bears were able to spend their spring and preseason training at Underhill.
Live stats will be available on CalBears.com, and follow @CalFieldHockey on Instagram and Facebook.com/CalFH for a behind-the-scenes look at gameday and more.
FAST FACTS
• The Bears are 13-8 in season openers with head coach
Shellie Onstead at the helm.
• Over the past 12 seasons, the Bears are 7-5 in season openers.
• Cal returns all three of its leading scorers from last season.
• Eight of Cal's 13 players who scored goals last season are back in the lineup for 2016.
• Goalkeeper
Kori Griswold started all 19 games for the Bears last season, notching a 9-10 record in goal with three shutouts.
• Sophomore returner
Melina Moore was a member of the America East All-Conference and All-Rookie teams in 2015.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
• Last Meeting: W, 4-2 on Sept. 9, 2011
• Series: Northeastern leads, 4-1
• Streak: Cal dropped the first four all-time meetings in the series before taking the program's first win over the Huskies in 2011
• The Huskies were tabbed to finish fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association.
• Natalie Stewart and June Curry-Lindahl were named to the CAA Preseason Team.
• Stewart and Curry-Lindahl each led Northeastern with five goals and six assists apiece last season.Â
• Goalkeeper Becky Garner started all 18 games in goal last season, allowing 50 goals with 120 saves and a 5-13 record in the cage.Â
RETURNING STARSÂ
A number of Cal's standouts last season make their return in the lineup, including its top-three scores. Leading scorer and America East Rookie of the Year
Melina Moore (10 goals, three assists, 23 points in 2015). Sophomore teammate
Janaye Sakkas was second among the Bears with seven goals, two assists and 16 points, while senior
Sydney Earle scored five goals and ranked second in assists with four. Cal will be also look to returning starters
Monica Marrazzo,
Keats Iwanaga and
Mara Gutierrez for help in the mid and backfield.
Kori Griswold will once again anchor the Cal defense in the cage after amassing 108 saves with a 2.36 goals against average last season.
COACH'S CORNER
"Northeastern will be fast-paced and physical, and are typically a very dangerous team."Â
"We're better now than we were when we ended last season, missing some key pieces to our lineup. Our midfield returns with strength and we're only going to get better as the year goes on. We'll be leaning on our seniors pretty heavily for on and off-the-field leadership, and if they're able to mentor our new players well, there's a lot to look forward to."
COACHES PREDICT THIRD-PLACE FINISH FOR BEARS
The coaches of the America East have predicted a third-place finish for the Golden Bears in the America East, tied with UC Davis. Stanford received three first-place votes to be named the favorite in the West, followed by Pacific with one first-place vote. Albany was picked to win the East Division.
INTERNATIONAL INFLUX
While field hockey remains a growing sport in the United States, it is well-known internationally, and the
Bears are receiving the benefits of its international appeal. Two members of Cal's freshman class from
abroad --
Lindsay Mathison (Gladstone, Australia) and
Femke Delissen (Wassenaar, Netherlands) -- and though rookie
Sterre van Ede calls Colorado home, she was born in Randburg, South Africa.
NEXT UP
Cal wraps up its inaugural homestand at Underhill Field with two games next week, starting with Kent State at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2. A Sunday matinee with Michigan at noon rounds out the weekend.
