BERKELEY – What better way to close out the regular season than a rivalry match? The Cal women's soccer team will play its final match of the 2019 Pac-12 campaign on Friday night, taking on No. 2 Stanford at 7 p.m. PT at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The Friday night showdown on the Farm will be a clash between the two hottest teams in the conference, as the Golden Bears (13-3-3, 5-2-3 Pac-12) are on a seven-game unbeaten streak while the Cardinal (17-1-0, 10-0-0 Pac-12) have won 12 straight and recently wrapped up their fifth consecutive Pac-12 title.
 

Stanford is a perfect 7-0-0 at home this season while Cal is unbeaten on the road this season (5-0-3), one of only five teams left in Division I women's soccer that has not lost away from home in 2019. Cal has picked up positive results in two of its last three trips to the Farm, playing the Cardinal to a 1-1 double-overtime draw in 2015 and topping Stanford, 1-0, in overtime in 2013 behind a golden goal from Rachel Mercik. Cal's most recent trip to Palo Alto saw the hosts come away with a 1-0 win, as Stanford striker Catarina Macario scored the game's only goal in the 43^rd minute.

One of the top defenses in the nation this season, the Bears will once again look to slow down Macario and the Cardinal's high-powered offense. Stanford leads the nation in scoring this season, averaging 3.78 goals per game, while Cal ranks first in the Pac-12 and 16^th nationally with a 0.51 goals against average. The Golden Bears have allowed just one goal in their last 276 minutes of play and have 10 shutouts on the season, including clean sheets in conference play against Oregon State, USC, and Arizona. Ranked in the Top-20 nationally this season in shutouts (9), goals against average (0.52), save percentage (.868), Cal freshman goalkeeper Angelina Anderson has impressed in her rookie season and was named the Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week for the fourth time this season, tying the conference single-season record. Anderson made a career-high 10 saves in Cal's shutout win over Arizona, tying Cal's freshman shutout record with her clean sheet against the Wildcats.

Along with a stingy defense, the Bears offense has been in an impressive run as late, outscoring the opposition 11-3 over the last five games. Junior forward/midfielder Emma Westin is in the midst of a stellar season for the Bears, with 11 goals and counting on the year. A member Sweden's Under-23 Women's National Team, Westin has scored in four of her last five outings, and is tied for third in the Pac-12 in scoring this season. Luca Deza, Paige Metayer, Denae Antoine, Abi Kim, and Mia Corbin have also tallied multiple goals for the Bears this season, while Kim and Corbin also rank in the Top 10 in the conference with six assists apiece on the year.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Friday's game against the Cardinal will be carried live on Pac-12 Networks, with Kate Scott and Christopher Sullivan on the call. A live stream and live stats will also be available, with additional in-game updates provided on the Bears' Twitter (@CalWSoc) and Instagram (@CalWSoc) accounts. 

SCOUTING THE CARDINAL
Stanford heads into Friday's regular season finale ranked No. 2 in the nation this season and on a 12-match winning streak. The Cardinal lead the nation in nearly every offensive category this season and while also leading the conference with 11 clean sheets on the year.

The Cardinal are coming off a 6-2 win over Arizona their last time out, as Macario tallied two goals and two assists in the win. A junior and the reigning MAC Hermann Trophy winner, Macario leads the nation in goals (23) and assists (16) this season. Fellow strike Madison Haley ranks third in the Pac-12 in total points this season with 29 points on 10 goals and nine assists.

After splitting time to start the season, Katie Meyer has emerged as the starter for Stanford in goal and has an 0.30 goals against average on the season, called upon to make just 10 saves in 10 matches.

Head coach Paul Ratcliffe is in his 17^th season as head coach of the Cardinal, leading Stanford to a pair of NCAA titles.

Stanford leads the overall series between the schools, 22-12-5, and has won the last three head-to-head meetings between the schools, including a 2-0 victory in Berkeley last season. Cal's last win over Stanford came on the Farm in 2013, a 1-0 victory in overtime. The last three meetings between the teams in Palo Alto have all been decided by one goal or fewer.

NEXT UP
The Golden Bears will find out their postseason fate on Monday, when the 2019 NCAA Women's Soccer Selection Show is held at 1:30 p.m. PT. Ranked 29^th in the latest RPI and with marquee wins this season over USC, UCLA, Santa Clara, and Arizona, Cal looks primed to return to the NCAA Tournament for the 15^th time in the last 16 years. The Golden Bears have made 25 trips previously to the NCAA Tournament, the second-most by any school in the conference. Cal's most recent tournament appearance came in 2017, when the Bears hosted Bay Area rival Santa Clara in the opening round.

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).