BERKELEY  - Unbeaten in its last five outings, the Cal women's soccer team returns to Berkeley for its final homestand of the 2019 regular season. The Golden Bears (11-3-3, 3-2-3 Pac-12) open their home slate on Thursday at 1 p.m. PT against Arizona (10-4-1, 4-3-1 Pac-12), and host Arizona State (6-8-3, 0-6-2 Pac-12) at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday afternoon. Arizona and Cal enter the weekend sitting fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Pac-12 table while the Sun Devils are in search of their first conference win of the year.

The Golden Bears head back to Goldman Field in the midst of a strong run of form. Cal is unbeaten in its last five games and is coming off two positive results on the road, beating Utah, 2-1, last Thursday and rallying back for a 1-1 double-overtime draw at Colorado on Sunday afternoon. Junior Emma Westin scored a pair of goals over the weekend and has goals in her last three outings, a streak that began in Cal's 3-0 win over No. 4 USC in Berkeley on October 18. Westin has now tallied 10 goals this season, tied for third in the conference and ranked in the Top-50 nationally. Sophomore midfielder Paige Metayer provided the equalizer in Cal's come-from-behind win over the Utes, while seniors Abi Kim and Mia Corbin also found the scoresheet this weekend, both tallying their sixth assist of 2019.

Cal's defense continues to rate among the best in the conference and the nation this season. The Golden Bears lead the conference and rank 13^th in the nation with a 0.51 goals against average, on pace for program's lowest goals against average since 2005. Freshman goalkeeper Angelina Anderson has started every match for the Bears this season, and ranks second in the conference in both save percentage (.855) and goals against average (0.52). The last Cal goalkeeper to post such marks was Emily Boyd in 2017, who was named the Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year and a Second Team All-American at the conclusion of the season.

Prior to Sunday's match against the Sun Devils, the Bears will recognize the eight members of this year's graduating class: Maggie Bell, Mia Corbin, Daisy Cleverley, Jordyn Elliott, Kayla Fong, Abi Kim, Avery Lakeman, and Olivia Sekany. During their time in Berkeley, this group has amassed 42 wins and earned two berths to the NCAA Tournament. Sunday's pregame recognition will begin at approximately 11:45 a.m. PT prior to the noon kickoff.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Both matches will be broadcast live this weekend on Pac-12 Networks, with live streaming and live stats also available. Additional in-game updates will be available on the Bears' Twitter (@CalWSoc) and Instagram (@CalWSoc) accounts. 

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Arizona heads to Berkeley coming off a weekend sweep of the Oregon schools and unbeaten in its last three outings. The Wildcats' offensive firepower was on display last weekend, blasting Oregon, 5-2, to begin the weekend and following it up with a 2-1 win over Oregon State on Sunday. Jada Talley paced Wildcats with a brace in Sunday's come-from-behind win over the Beavers and added two more goals and two assists in Thursday's win over the Ducks

For her efforts over the weekend, Talley was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. A junior forward, Talley leads the Wildcats and is tied for sixth in the conference in scoring with nine goals this season. She also leads Arizona with seven assists and has 25 total points on the season. Jill Aguilera and Brooke Wilson have also been potent in the attack this season, tallying six goals apiece as part of a Wildcats offense that averages 2.27 goals per game on the year.
Freshman Hope Hisey has emerged as the starter in goal this season, going the distance in all eight Pac-12 matches and posting a 1.25 goals against average for the year.

Head coach Tony Amato is in his seventh season in Tucson and has led the Wildcats to four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last five seasons.

Cal leads the overall series between the schools, 15-5-4, though Arizona has had the upperhand as of late. The Bears are winless (0-3-2) in their last five head-to-head meetings with the Wildcats, tied with Stanford for Cal's longest active winless streak against a conference foe. The teams played to a 3-3 double-overtime draw last season in Tucson, with the Bears getting goals from Kim and seniors Miranda Nild and Anja Koehler. Three of the last five meetings between the schools have gone to overtime while the last nine matchups have all been decided by one goal or fewer. Cal's last win over Arizona came in 2013, a 2-1 win in Berkeley.

SCOUTING THE SUN DEVILS
Arizona State heads to the Bay as the only Pac-12 team still winless in conference play. However, despite a nine-game winless stretch, the Sun Devils have been highly competitive, with only two of their Pac-12 matches this season decided by multiple goals. The most recent outing saw the Sun Devils drop a 1-0 decision at home to Oregon, with the Ducks tallying the game's lone goal in the 16^th minute.

Arizona State is tied for fourth in the conference in scoring, averaging 1.88 goals per game on the year, but is 11^th in the Pac-12 with a 1.47 goals against average.

Sophomore Nicole Douglas leads the Sun Devils in scoring this season with eight goals on the year and tallied an assist in last week's 3-1 loss to Oregon State. Dutch youth international Eva van Deursen, leads Arizona State and ranks among the conference leads with six assists this season.

Sunday's game will be the 24^h meeting all-time between Cal and Arizona State. The Golden Bears hold a 13-5-4 lead in the overall series, but are winless in their last two meetings with the Sun Devils. Arizona State won last season's match-up, 2-1, in Berkeley, behind a pair of second-half goals. Cal's last win over Arizona State came in 2016, a 2-0 win in Tempe.

Prior to Sunday's game against the Bears, the Sun Devils will take on second-ranked Stanford at 4 p.m. PT.

NEXT UP
The Bears will head to the Farm for their final match of the 2019 regular season, taking on rival Stanford at 7 p.m. PT on Friday, November 8. The Cardinal, ranked No. 2 in the nation, are the current Pac-12 leaders and can clinch at least a share of the 2019 Pac-12 title with a win this weekend. Cal is unbeaten on the road this season with a 5-0-3 record away from Berkeley while Stanford is a perfect 5-0 at home and has won 10 straight entering the weekend. The Cardinal have won the last three head-to-head meetings between the schools, including a 2-0 victory in Berkeley last season. Cal's last result against the Cardinal came in 2015, a 1-1 (20T) draw in Palo Alto.

2019 TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Tickets are now on sale for the 2019 Cal women's soccer season. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $5 for youth. Cal students and staff receive free admission with a valid ID and entry is free for ages 13 and below Monday through Thursday. New this season to Edwards Stadium, fans can purchase group tickets ahead of time on CalBears.com which will be available for will call pickup for a $3 charge. For more information, call the Gold Standard Sales and Service line at (800) GO BEARS (462-3277) or visit the CalBears.com ticket page.

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).