BERKELEY – After nine months of waiting, it's finally soccer season again in Berkeley! The Cal women's soccer team kicks off the 2019 campaign on Thursday, hosting Weber State at 4 p.m. PT at Goldman Field at Edwards Stadium.

Thursday's game marks the first home event on the 2019-20 Cal Athletics calendar and is the first of 11 home games for head coach Neil McGuire and the Golden Bears.

"As a staff, we are very pleased with where we are at this stage in the season," said McGuire, who enters his 13^th season as head coach of the Bears and is the program's all-time wins leader. "The players are fit, motivated, and ready for action. Our plan in these first few games is to play assertively and with a high tempo to set the tone for the season."

Looking to build upon the lessons learned in 2018, the Bears bring back significant experience with 21 letterwinners returning. That continuity is showcased on the offensive side of the field, where the Bears return their top two scorers from 2018 in senior Abi Kim and junior Emma Westin. A member of the Under-23 United States' Women's National team and an All-Pac-12 and All-Region selection in 2018, Kim is back for her senior season after leading the Bears in both scoring (6 goals) and overall points (13 points) last year. Westin, a junior forward/midfielder and recent call-in to Sweden's Under-23 Women's National Team, looks to build upon a stellar sophomore campaign in which she led the Bears in assists (4 assists) and finished second in both goals (4 goals) and overall points (12 points).

In addition to Kim and Westin, the Bears return another seven players who tallied multiple points last season, including senior Kayla Fong (3 goals in 2018) and junior Luca Deza (2 goals, 2 assists in 2018). Defensively, the Bears return the centerback pairing of Emily Smith and Sydney Collins, who played significant minutes together last season. Cal's goalkeeper corps includes returners Olivia Sekany and Amanda Zodikoff along with freshman Angelina Anderson. A product of nearby Carondelet High School, Anderson was a United Soccer Coaches' High School All-American and backstopped the United States' at the 2018 Under-17 FIFA Women's World Cup.
 
Anderson is one of nine newcomers on the Cal roster this season, with redshirt sophomore Julia Curtis joining the Bears in the spring as a transfer and eight true freshman arriving in Berkeley earlier this month. The Bears' incoming freshman class was ranked in the top-10 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

After a productive and competitive preseason, the Bears are eager to officially begin the season, playing the Wildcats of Weber State in the first meeting ever between the programs. Cal has started the season on the front foot each of the previous three seasons, including a 3-0 season-opening win over Utah Valley in 2018.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live stats for Thursday' match against Weber State will be available on CalBears.com, with in-game updates also available on the Bears' Twitter (@CalWSoc) and Instagram (@CalWSoc) accounts. 

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Picked second and receiving three first-place votes in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll, Weber State returns 12 letterwinners from last year's team that was crowned 2018 Big Sky regular season champions. The Wildcats bring back four starters from last season, headlined by 2018 Big Sky Co-Newcomer of the Year Olivia Barton, who scored three goals and led the team with six assists as a rookie.

Weber State closed out preseason with an exhibition game against Colorado College on August 15, falling 2-1 despite a goal in the 24^th minute by junior Mylee Broad.

Former assistant coach Megan Thunell is serving as the Wildcats interim head coach and is in her 15^th season on staff in Ogden. After Thursday's game in Berkeley, Weber State will take on two more Pac-12 opponents, squaring off against Arizona and Arizona State.

NEXT UP
Following Thursday's match in Berkeley, the Bears will take to the road, heading down the California coast for a pair of matches next weekend. Cal kicks off its road trip at UC Santa Barbara, taking on the Gauchos on Friday, August 30. The Bears wrap up the weekend at San Diego State, kicking off against the Aztecs at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday, September 1.

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).