BERKELEY – Playing with a starting lineup featuring seven underclassmen, California field hockey's defense held its own against a high-powered Syracuse offense but fell to the fifth-ranked Orange, 2-0, in the season opener at Underhill Field Friday.
 
A young Cal defense limited the Orange, who led the ACC in goals (67) and shots per game (17.63) last season, to nine tough shots, but the Golden Bears failed to capitalize in their four attempts at the cage. Cal sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Mentink registered three saves in a complete-game performance.
 
'Cuse exploited a penalty corner early in the game, using a shot by Lies Lagerweij to get on the board at 4:29.
 
Throughout the remainder of the match, Cal kept Syracuse off balance and forced the Orange to use a timeout early in the second half to recompose.
 
The Syracuse offense found a way to throw Cal off its marks in the 58th minute to add an insurance goal off a well-played ball, courtesy of Roos Weers to Jennifer Bleakney at 57:11.
 
"The second goal was also a very nice goal, and if you have to give up goals you don't want them to be soft," said head coach Shellie Onstead. "It's an easy fix. We were in the proper marking position the whole game except for once, and that's what happened."
 
The Bears saw their best scoring opportunity with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game after two Syracuse players were issued yellow cards, but were unable to take advantage offensively and went without a shot or corner.
 
HEAD COACH SHELLIE ONSTEAD'S TAKE
 
On season-opening performance:
We were in it right to the end, even with three minutes left. We've been two goals down and overcome that before. The main thing is that we kept competing…I'm very happy with the team effot."
 
On play of freshmen:
"I'm very happy. They're coming in with a lot more knowledge and a lot more skill. They're playing free and having fun and I think that's helping."
 
SYRACUSE'S GOALS
4:29 – Lies Lagerweij (assisted by Erin Gillingham, Jennifer Bleakney)
57:11 – Jennifer Bleakney (assisted by Roos Weers)
 
NEXT UP
Cal returns to Underhill Field on Monday at 3 p.m. to host Michigan State in the second of a four-game homestand.