BERKELEY -- California field hockey earned its first shutout of the season after defeating Miami (Ohio), 1-0, Sunday at Underhill Field.

Megan Rodgers lifted the Golden Bears to the victory, scoring in the 60th minute.

Rodgers dribbled into the semicircle and after back-to-back deflected goals, she took a reverse shot at 59:07 to break a scoreless tie. It was her fourth goal of the season, and the lone goal in a game that saw a combined 15 shots between the two teams. Miami led in shots, 9-6, and in corners, 5-4.

"We had a lot of frustration about not getting opportunities, so the thing that is best is that was our first real test of mental toughness, and we did really well," said head coach Shellie Onstead.

Cal's defense shined throughout the 70 minutes, with goalkeeper Danielle Mentink anchoring the Bears with five saves, and the Bears held strong despite a physical game that saw a pair of green cards and one yellow card awarded to the Red Hawks.

"We had an extra goalie session, and I think that really led to me being ready for each circle penetration," Mentink said. "I had an amazing defense that had my back when they needed to be there. It was an all-around really solid practice and then game this week."

The win was Cal's first shutout victory since Sept. 8. 2017, when Cal downed Bryant 8-0.

Cal improves to 2-1 this season.
 

HEAD COACH SHELLIE ONSTEAD'S TAKE

What I'm pleased about overall is that they didn't have as long of that downward flow. When I called a timeout, they made an adjustment. We had a lot of frustration about not getting opportunities, so the thing that is best is that was our first real test of mental toughness, and we did really well. That's not necessarily been our trademark in the past.

Dani had a really nice game, and that's something to build on. We gave up a few too many corners, but defensively I'm pretty happy.
 

GOLDEN BEARS ON THEIR GOALS

1. Megan Rodgers (unassisted):
I was taking it one-on-one with the goalie. I shot it, and it deflected off the goalie. Lindsay Mathison took a shot and that came off the goalie, and then I took a reverse shot.

NEXT UP

Cal hits the road for a pair of ACC matchups, taking on UNC and Louisville in Louisville, Ky. next weekend.