BERKELEY - California field hockey kicks off the 2019 campaign under the lights against Quinnipiac followed by a neutral-site game at Stanford. The Golden Bears host the Bobcats on Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m., before taking on No. 15 Northwestern on Monday, Sept. 2, at 11 am at Stanford.
 
Boasting a strong offensive presence with four of last season's top five point scorers back in 2019, Cal field hockey returns for its 25th season under the direction of head coach Shellie Onstead. Megan Rodgers returns after pacing the Bears in scoring in 2018 with 30 points (13 goals, four assists). She also enters her junior campaign with some national recognition as a two-time NFHCA All-Region honoree. In addition, Rodgers (U21), Katrina Carter (U.S. Development Squad), Brynn Zorilla (U19, U21) and Megan Connors (U19) have all played for U.S. National teams. The Bears return three of four 2018 all-conference selections in Rodgers, Zorilla and Yvie Lock. 

Rodgers Returns In 2019 To Lead Bears
• Megan Rodgers returns in 2019 after being one of Cal's most productive players in 2018, scoring 30 total points on a team-best 13 goals, with her four assists ranking second-most on the squad. She turned in four multi-goal games, and opened the season with a hat trick against Providence along with an assist for seven points in the contest. Rodgers collected NFHCA West Region First Team honors, earning a spot on the all-region squad for the second year in a row. She was also an America East All-Conference selection.
• Rodgers ranks eighth in career goals at Cal with 30, three shy of seventh. She is also four points shy of cracking the top-10 in career points in school history. 

Bears All-Time Vs. Quinnipiac and NW
• Cal is 2-0 all-time against Quinnipiac, with the most recent meeting taking place in 2017, a 3-2 victory on the road for the Bears. Cal is 4-10-1 all-time against Northwestern, and the Wildcats currently boast a five-game winning streak over the Bears. NW beat Cal, 2-0, last year. 

Godfrid Headed To Cal Hall Of Fame
• Valentina Godfrid (2003-06), a first-team All-American who is the program's all-time leading scorer, has been elected into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame, part of the 34th class of inductees that will be enshrined the weekend of Nov. 8-9. Godfrid was a three-time NorPac Conference Player of the Year, as well as the league's Offensive Player of the Year her junior season. She led Cal to four consecutive conference titles and to three NCAA Tournament berths. Information on tickets to the HOF banquet can be found online at bigcsociety.org.

Competitive Schedule
• Following the season opener against Northwestern, the Bears next four opponents are each ranked in the NFHCA's Top-25 poll (No. 15 Northwestern, No. 7 Michigan, No. 8 Iowa, No. 3 Duke). On the NFHCA's preseason poll, Cal will face a total of nine ranked foes, including three in Berkeley (Michigan, No. 18 Syracuse and No. 21 Stanford). This isn't anything new for the Bears, though, as they had one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2018.   

Bears Tabbed Second In AE West
• America East coaches predicted a second-place finish in the West Division for the Bears, according to the league's preseason poll. It marked the Golden Bears' best standing in the preseason poll in four years. Now a three-team division in the West, Stanford is the favorite to win the West once again, while Albany was picked to win the East. The Cardinal sits atop the West Division with four points and two first-place votes, followed by the Bears in second with three points and one first-place vote. UC Davis rounds out the division with two points in third. Last season, Cal finished 2-4 in conference play with both wins coming against the Aggies.

Red, White, Blue & Gold
• In addition to head coach Shellie Onstead, associate head coach Austin Pile and assistant coach Malachi Mahan holding national team playing or coaching experience, the Golden Bears have a long pipeline of individuals associated with Cal field hockey playing or working with Team USA. Megan Rodgers (U21), Katrina Carter (U.S. Development Squad), Brynn Zorilla (U19, U21) and Megan Conners (U19) have all played for U.S. National teams. 

Smart Bears
• Cal also excels in the classroom. In 2018, the Bears were once again recipients of Zag Field Hockey/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I National Academic Team honor. In addition, 15 Bears were named to the America East Honor Roll and eight Cal players were honored with 2018 Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad laurels.

Next Up
• Cal remains at home next week. The Bears host Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 8, at noon. The Wolverines are one of four 2018 NCAA Tournament teams the Bears will face in 2019.