SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - After falling behind in the early stages of the second half, the Cal women's soccer team battled back to earn a valuable road victory, topping Utah, 2-1, on Thursday night at Ute Field. The Golden Bears (11-3-2, 3-2-2 Pac-12) remain unbeaten on the road this season and handed the Utes (6-6-4, 1-3-3 Pac-12) their first home defeat of the year. Paige Metayer and Emma Westin scored for the Bears in the victory, as Cal completed its first come-from-behind win of the 2019 season.

Perfect at Ute Field this season, Utah controlled the early stages of the match, forcing Cal goalkeeper Angelina Anderson into a pair of saves in the opening minutes of the match. The Utes capitalized on their momentum in the 17th minute when Ireland Dunn got endline and slipped a shot past Anderson from a tight angle. The goal snapped Cal's shutout streak at 293 minutes and was the first goal allowed by Cal's defense since October 10 at Oregon. 

Yet despite the early setback, the Bears battled their way back into the match and drew level in the 36^th minute, when Metayer scored her fourth goal of the season. The sophomore midfielder picked up a pass from Daisy Cleverley just inside the Bears' attacking half and weaved her way through the Utes defense, firing a shot off that beat Utah's Carly Nelson to the far post. It was the second goal in as many games for Metayer, who also found the back of the net in Cal's win over No. 4 USC and has now doubled her goal total from 2018.

Tied 1-1- at half, Cal carried its momentum into the second half and jumped ahead in the 59^th minute with Westin's team-leading ninth goal of the season. The play began when redshirt sophomore Kailee Gifford drove to the edge of the box and slotted a pass to senior forward Mia Corbin. Corbin unleashed a shot from the edge of the 18-yard-box that forced Nelson into a diving save. However, Westin followed up the play and pounced on the rebound, burying it into the back of the net to give Cal the go-ahead goal. The tally also made it goals in back-to-back games for Westin, who is now tied for fourth in the conference in scoring. Corbin was credited with her team-leading sixth assist of the season, which also puts her in the top-five in the conference.

The Utes battled for an equalizer and had a dangerous chance in the 76^th minute, when a rebound fell in front of goal and in front of a Utah attacker. However, sophomore centerback Sydney Collins was there to step in and clear the ball to safety.

The Bears' defensive unit – which ranks among the best in the nation this season – came up with another critical play in the 84^th minute. Metayer stepped in to block a shot at the top of the box and Anderson came up with a diving stop after Alexis Rushlow rifled a shot towards the near post.

Cal outshot Utah 7-5 in the second half while shots were tied 10-10 on the evening. Anderson made five saves for Cal in the win while Nelson was credited with six saves in the loss.

The win was Cal's third of the season in Pac-12 play and gives the Bears their fifth road win of the season. Cal is now unbeaten in seven road games this season, one of only seven teams in Division I women's soccer that has yet to lose on the road this season.

Cal looks to keep the streak alive on Sunday, taking on Colorado (10-5-1, 2-4-1 Pac-12) at 12 p.m. PT in Boulder.

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