Cal vs #1 Stanford
Friday, Nov. 2 | 3:00 PM PT | Edwards Stadium | Berkeley, Calif. | Pac-12 Networks
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BERKELEY – The Cal women's soccer team will play its final game of the 2018 season this Friday, hosting Bay Area rival Stanford at 3 p.m. PT at Edwards Stadium. The Golden Bears (5-11-2, 1-8-1 Pac-12) will celebrate the four members of the this years' senior class – Emily Kasa, Anja Koehler, Brooke Lisowski, and Miranda Nild – prior to kickoff against the Cardinal (15-0-2, 8-0-1 Pac-12), who enter the match ranked No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches' Poll.

During their time in Berkeley, Cal's seniors have helped the Bears to 44 victories, as well as postseason appearances and academic honors.

"It has been a real pleasure to have had each of our seniors here at Cal," said Bears' head coach Neil McGuire. "On top of their talents as players, they are outstanding women who have given a great deal to our program and the Cal community. They are a group with great character and have led our team with dignity and pride. We look forward to seeing their careers unfold and thank them for all they have given to our University and program."

The Bears return to Berkeley after a pair of road matches against Washington and Washington State. Three different Bears found the scoresheet over the weekend, led by Abi Kim's sixth goal of the season and goals from freshmen Paige Metayer and Renee Thomas. Kim, a junior, leads the Bears in scoring this season and has three goals in the last five games. Metayer and Thomas, two of the 11 freshmen on Cal's roster this season, tallied their first goals in Pac-12 play and look to carry that experience into next season. Sophomore Emma Westin leads the Bears with four assists this season and is second in overall points, while Nild, a member of the Thailand women's national team, is third in points with three goals and three assists.

Defensively, the Bears have used three different goalkeepers this season, with Lisowski, Olivia Sekany, and Amanda Zodikoff all seeing time in net. Lisowski earned the start Sunday at Washington while Zodikoff played last Thursday against Washington State.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Friday's season finale against the Cardinal will be Cal's matches this weekend will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks with live stats also available. Follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWSoc) and Instagram (@CalWSoc) for additional updates.

LAST TIME OUT
Cal was unable to erase a four-goal deficit, falling to Washington, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon at the Husky Soccer Stadium. The Golden Bears held the Huskies 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 25^th 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 64^th 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.

SCOUTING THE CARDINAL
The reigning NCAA Champions, Stanford enters Friday's match on a 39-game unbeaten streak, the longest in program history and the sixth-longest in NCAA history. The Cardinal did, however, see their 26-game Pac-12 win streak come to an end last weekend, playing to a 1-1 double-overtime draw against Washington State on Sunday in Pullman, Washington. Sophomore Catarina Macario scored in the 41^st minute to give Stanford the lead, but the Cougars equalized in the 77^th minute, capitalizing on an errant pass.

Macario, the 2017 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman, leads the Cardinal and the conference with 12 goals this season. As a team, Stanford leads the nation in shots per game, averaging 23.8 shots per contest. Midfielder Jordan DiBiasi leads the Cardinal with eight assists this season while also adding three goals of her own.  

Defensively, Stanford has allowed just eight goals this season, tied for the fifth-fewest in Division I. Redshirt senior Alison Jahansouz has seen the majority of minutes in net this season and ranks second in the Pac-12 with seven shutouts on the year.

Head coach Paul Ratcliffe is in his 16^th season on the Farm, leading Stanford to a pair of national titles. The Cardinal have won seven Pac-12 titles during Ratcliffe's tenure and reached the College Cup seven of the last 10 seasons.

Stanford will play its final regular season game on Sunday, taking on Arizona State in Tempe. The match against the Sun Devils, originally slated for earlier in the month, was rescheduled due to weather.

STAY POSTED
Keep up-to-date on the Golden Bears throughout the year by following the team on Twitter (@CalWSoc), Instagram (@CalWSoc), and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWSoc).