BERKELEY –California field hockey's offense couldn't overcome a stalwart Big 10 defense in 17th-ranked Iowa, who shut out the Golden Bears 3-0 Sunday afternoon at Underhill Field. 
 
"I think we learned the most from this game as far as what a really solid defense is," said head coach Shellie Onstead. "This is the best defense we've faced so far, but we did outshoot and outcorner them, so that's a very good sign. It was a really clear what we've got to work on."
 
Both of Cal's shutout losses this year have come against Big 10 opponents. Hawkeye goalkeeper Katie Jones made seven saves, including several off of Cal's five penalty corner plays, while the Iowa offense successfully converted two corners and added a third goal.
 
Madeline Murphy and Katie Birch each scored goals for Iowa on penalty corners in the 25th and 51st minutes, respectively, and Isabella Solaroli made it 3-0 Hawkeyes at 65:06 after sneaking into the circle and facing Cal goalkeeper Danielle Mentink with a solo shot.
 
Cal's best chances at the Hawkeye cage came on a penalty stroke taken by Katrina Carter in the 40th minute that Jones saved, as well as early near the 60-minute mark when the Bears drew three consecutive corners in a two-minute span.
 
Cal outshot Iowa 9-6 and edged the Hawkeyes in shots, 5-3.
 
Aside from the loss, the Bears are seeing consistent improvement on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Sunday's game marked the first game this season that the Bears did not allow a goal in the first five minutes of the contest. Despite beginning the season with three ranked foes in four contests, Cal is outshooting opponents 57-39, up from 25-55 through four games last season.
 
"Three goals is tough, but I'm very happy with the way that they're playing," Onstead said. "We're subbing frequently to keep everyone fresh, and the quality doesn't go down, so we're deep and that's super."
 
With the loss, Cal falls to 1-3 in 2017, splitting the weekend after a 2-1 upset of No. 22 UMass on Friday evening.
 
HEAD COACH SHELLIE ONSTEAD'S TAKE
 
On overall performance:
"That's our second Big 10 opponent, and we have two more this year, and I think we learned the most from this game as far as what a really solid defense is. This is the best defense we've faced so far, but we did outshoot and outcorner them, so that's a very good sign. It was a really clear what we've got to work on."
 
On focus in upcoming week:
"We need to focus on the kind of conversion that we need inside the 25. Generating shots is great, but we've got to get more out of it."
 
On Cal defense:
"They're so consistent. It's great. I did acknowledge our defense after the game. Three goals is tough, but I'm very happy with the way that they're playing. We're subbing frequently to keep everyone fresh, and the quality doesn't go down, so we're deep and that's super."
 
IOWA'S GOALS
24:20 – Madeleine Murphy (unassisted)
50:14 – Katie Birch (assisted by Melissa Progar, Makenna Grewe)
65:06 – Isabella Solaroli (unassisted)
 
NEXT UP
Cal hits the road for the first time all season, traveling to Bryant and Northeastern for a pair of contests beginning Friday.