BERKELEY - After back-to-back close games to begin the 2018 season, the California women's lacrosse team hosts Mercer this week in their first-ever meeting.

The Golden Bears (1-1) lost to San Diego State, 12-11, in their most-recent game last Sunday. Prior to the loss to SDSU, the Bears opened the 2018 campaign with an 11-9 win at UC Davis on Feb. 9.

Through two games, Eliza Christman is Cal's leading scorer with seven points on five goals and two assists. She notched five of those points against the Aztecs, including a goal as time elapsed in the first half. Christman and Kirsten Swanson both registered hat tricks against the Aztecs. 

In the win over the Aggies, Caroline Corzel paced the Bears with four points on two goals and two assists. She was one of four Bears to find the back of the net twice. Swanson, Christman and Parker Garrett also scored twice, while Kate Mattimore, Lauren Hickman and Marisa Kuberra tallied goals, as well. Nikki Zaccaro garnered two assists. Corzel and Zaccaro's two assists are tied for the season-high in the Pac-12. 

Through two games, eight Bears have scored at least one goal. 

Jenny Wilkens notched 10 saves against UC Davis, her 15th career double-digit save performance, and after collecting eight against SDSU, she has now garnered at least eight saves in 27 of 35 career games. Wilkens ranks eighth in school history in career ground balls with 90, four away from seventh.   

Mercer is 0-1 after it lost to Liberty, 14-7, in the season opener. Before heading to Berkeley, Mercer will face Fresno State on Friday. 

Following this week's game, the Bears head to the east coast to face UConn on Friday, Feb. 23 and UMass-Lowell on Sunday, Feb. 25.