EUGENE, Ore. - Coming off a hard-fought overtime loss the last time out, the Cal women's soccer team looks to bounce back on the road this weekend, heading to the Pacific Northwest for a pair of Pac-12 matchups. The Golden Bears (9-3-0, 1-2-0 Pac-12) will open the weekend at Oregon (4-3-4, 0-2-1 Pac-12), taking on the Ducks on Thursday at 7 p.m. PT in Eugene. Cal then closes the weekend in Corvallis, taking on Oregon State (9-1-1, 1-1-1 Pac-12) at 1 p.m. PT.

A perfect 4-0-0 on the road this season, Cal looks to continue its success away from home this season and pick up valuable points in the Pac-12 standings. The Golden Bears opened the conference campaign with a thrilling 2-1 win at No. 7 UCLA on September 27, but dropped a pair of 1-0 decisions last weekend in their return to Berkeley. The most recent outing saw the Golden Bears outshoot No. 14 Washington State, 14-9, but it was the visiting Cougs who came up with the game's only goal in the 92^nd minute, as Makamae Gomera-Stevens provided the overtime winner.

Cal's defense has been among the best in both the conference and the nation this season, with seven shutouts and just six goals allowed on the season. Cal's 0.50 goals against average is the best in the Pac-12 and is tied for 15^th in all of Division I women's soccer this season. Freshman goalkeeper Angelina Anderson leads the conference with six shutouts on the year and ranks third with a 0.800 save percentage. Three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week Emily Smith and centerback partner Sydney Collins have been consistent forces on the Bears' backline this season, while Cal has also benefited from the return of fullback Kailee Gifford, who missed the entirety of the 2018 season due to injury.

Looking to snap its two game skid, the Bears will also turn to their attack, where they boast several dangerous options. Eight different players have scored for Cal this season, led by seven goals from junior forward/midfielder Emma Westin. Deza, a Pac-12 All-Freshman selection in 2017, is second on the team in both scoring (4 goals) and points (10 points). Senior strikers Abi Kim and Mia Corbin are tied for the team lead with four assists each on the year.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Thursday's match against Oregon will be carried live on Pac-12 Networks, with Ann Schatz and Temryss Lane on the call. A live stream and live stats will also be available on Thursday night. Fans can follow Sunday's match in Corvallis via live stats, with in-game updates also provided on the Bears' Twitter (@CalWSoc) and Instagram (@CalWSoc) accounts. 

SCOUTING THE DUCKS
Unbeaten at home this season, Oregon is looking for its first win of the 2019 conference campaign. The Ducks began conference play with a 2-1 loss at Washington, but picked up a valuable point on the road at Colorado their next time out, playing the 17^th-ranked Buffs to a 2-2 double-overtime draw. However, Oregon could not find the back of the net in its most recent outing, falling 2-0 at Utah on Sunday. The loss snapped a streak of 13 consecutive games in which the Ducks had scored at least one goal.

Sophomore Jordan Wormdahl has been leading the Ducks offense this season with six goals on the year. Freshman Sakura Yoshida leads the squad with six assists on the season, while an additional four players have multiple goals on the season. Senior Katelyn Carter has started all 11 games in goal for the Ducks, posting a .596 save percentage.

Thursday's meeting will be the 23^rd meeting all-time between the schools, with the Bears holding a 19-2-1 advantage in the overall series. Cal has won the last five head-to-head matchups between the schools, including a 2-1 come-from-behind win last season in Eugene. The Ducks took an early lead in the 7^th minute before the Bears responded with goals in the 74^th and 79^th minutes to pick up their first win of the 2018 conference campaign.

Head coach Kat Mertz is in her seventh season with the Ducks, returning six starters and 12 letterwinners from last season.

SCOUTING THE BEAVERS
After going a perfect 8-0-0 through the non-conference campaign, Oregon State dropped its first game of the season in its conference opener at Washington State. However, the Beavers responded and went unbeaten last weekend, playing Utah to a 1-1 double-overtime draw on Sunday before topping Colorado, 2-1, on the road on Sunday. Toni Malone scored the game winner for the Beavs in the 77^th minute, and Oregon State held strong despite being down to 10 players for the final two minutes of the match.

McKenzie Weinert leads Oregon State in scoring this season with seven goals on the year, while Brianna McReynolds has a team-high five assists to go along with five goals on the year. Sophomore Bridgette Skiba has started every game in goal and ranks second in the conference with a 0.62 goals against average.

Cal leads the overall series between the schools, but will be looking for its first win in Corvallis since 2009. The Beavs have won the last three meetings between the teams in the state of Oregon, including a 2-1 come-from-behind victory last season. Luca Deza put the Bears on the board first with a tally in the 27^th minute, but the Beavs equalized less than two minutes later off a penalty kick and found the game-winner in the 69^th minute to come up with the win.

 Prior to Sunday's matchup, Oregon State opens the weekend hosting No. 2 Stanford at 7 p.m. PT on Thursday night.

NEXT UP
Following this weekend's games on the road, the Bears will return to Berkeley for a one-game weekend, hosting No. 4 USC on October 18 at 4 p.m. PT. Cal fell to USC, 1-0, in overtime last season at Edwards Stadium, after a golden goal by the Women of Troy in the 94th minute. Cal's last win over USC came in 2016, a 1-0 victory for the Golden Bears in Los Angeles. The last seven matchups between the schools have been decided by one goal or fewer.

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).