Renee Thomas
Noel Danseco
1
California CAL (5-11-2, 1-8-1 Pac-12)
4
Winner Washington WASH (8-9-1, 3-7-0 Pac-12)
California CAL
(5-11-2, 1-8-1 Pac-12)
1
Final
4
Washington WASH
(8-9-1, 3-7-0 Pac-12)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
California CAL 0 1 1
Washington WASH 4 0 4

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Cal Athletics

Bears Topped By Huskies

Strong Second Half Not Enough To Overtime Halftime Deficit

SEATTLE, Washington – The Cal women's soccer team was unable to erase come back from a four-goal deficit, falling to Washington, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon at the Husky Soccer Stadium. The Golden Bears (5-11-2, 1-8-1 Pac-12) held the Huskies (8-9-1, 3-7-0 Pac-12) scoreless in the second half and scored a goal of their own, courtesy of freshman Renee Thomas, but found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline for the second time on the weekend.

Playing on its senior day, Washington controlled the momentum early in the match. The Huskies, in their 25th season under former Golden Bear great Lesle Gallimore, put the Bears' defense under pressure early and often. A series of early set pieces paid off for the Huskies when Kaylene Pang scored the game's opening goal in the eighth minute, capitalizing on a bouncing ball from a Huskies corner kick.

Washington added to its advantage six minutes later when Ameera Hussen scored directly off a free kick, driving her attempt past the wall and Cal goalkeeper Brooke Lisowski for her second goal of the season.

The Huskies' continued to create chances throughout the first half, and added two more goals, with strikes from Olivia Van der Jagt and another tally by Pang. Washington outshot Cal, 10-5, in the first half, with a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.

The second half saw the Bears raise the intensity and find an offensive rhythm of their own. Junior striker Abi Kim continued to create problems all over the pitch, forcing Washington goalkeeper Siena Ruelas into several difficult plays throughout the afternoon. Kim and sophomore Emma Westin combined for two quality chances early in the second half, but saw Ruelas come up with the stop on both. Westin led the Bears with four shots on the afternoon while Kim put all three of her shot attempts on target.

Cal's persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Westin made a run into the 18-yard-box. The play was broken up but the ball fell to Thomas, who rifled it to the far post for her first goal of the season. A freshman from Laguna Beach, California, Thomas has played in 11 games this season and tallied an assist in her collegiate debut against Utah Valley.

As rain began to fall in midway through the second half, Cal's defense remained organized and kept the hosts off the scoresheet for the final 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Amanda Zodikoff made a pair of saves in the second half, doing well to corral the skipping shots and prevent any rebound opportunities.

The Bears nearly had an opportunity of their own to add another goal in the final seconds of the match, but Ruelas was able to come up with a reaction save in the 90th minute to deny Kim's athletic volley at the far post. Ruelas matched her career-high with seven saves on the afternoon.

Sunday's game against the Huskies marked the Bears' final road game of the 2018 season. Cal will close out the year at home on Friday, hosting No. 1 Stanford at 3 p.m. PT. The Bears will honor their four seniors – Emily Kasa, Anja Koehler, Brooke Lisowski, and Miranda Nild – prior to the match. Friday's season finale against the Cardinal (15-0-2, 8-0-1) will be televised live on Pac-12 Network.

For more updates and information on the team throughout the year, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWSoc), Instagram (@CalWSoc), and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWSoc).
 
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