BERKELEY – Evan Davila scored what was arguably the California men's soccer team's best goal of the season against 15th-ranked Stanford, and the Golden Bears tied the Cardinal, 1-1, in game one of the Big Clásico on Sunday at Edwards Stadium.
 
The Golden Bears' record is now 6-5-4 (2-3-2 Pac-12). Stanford – which hosts Cal in the regular-season finale on Nov. 11 on The Farm – is 7-2-5 (1-1-5).
 
A crowd of 1,204 – Cal's largest of the season at Edwards Stadium – along with the Cal Band and Cal Cheer contributed to a festive atmosphere for the Big Clásico.
 
"I want to give a big shout out to the fans, to the Cal Band and to Cal Cheer for coming out to support us," Cal head coach Leonard Griffin said. "They were like our 12th man.
 
"It was a battle and a typical rivalry game; kind of what you expect. Little disappointed we didn't come out with a win, but I'm super proud of the fight and the grit that our players showed today. We'll take the point and learn and grow and continue to be ready for the next game."
 
A relatively even first half resulted in a 0-0 tie, with Cal goalkeeper Connor Lambe making two of his five saves in the first 45 minutes.
 
Davila untied the game in the 53rd minute. The senior received the ball just past the midfield stripe and dribbled through several Cardinal players before firing past goalkeeper Rowan Schnebly from 17 yards out. All the Bears converged on the midfielder to celebrate the goal, which gave Cal a 1-0 lead. Davila now leads Cal with 13 points from five goals and three assists.
 
"What an individual effort by Evan, to receive the ball at midfield, just drive and be dangerous," Griffin said. "The finish was world class. Big hat's off to him for that goal and putting us up in the game."
 
After being outshot 7-3 in the first half, a more aggressive Cal squad outshot Stanford 10-5 in the second stanza.
 
But in the 76th minute, a Stanford free kick led to the equalizer. Zach Bohane took the free kick and found Jackson Kiil deep in the box. Kiil headed the ball inside the near post to make the score 1-1.
 
Cal had its chances in the final minutes, including an 82nd-minute shot by Rohan McEligot that was blocked by the defense, and an ensuing shot from close range by Nonso Adimabua seconds later that defender Dylan Hooper cleared off the line when Schnebly was beaten.
 
The teams had to settle for a point apiece, which left them tied for fourth place in the Pac-12 Conference with eight points each.
 
Cal next plays host to UCLA on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. PT and then hosts San Diego State at 2 p.m. PT next Sunday in the regular-season finale at Edwards Stadium. Prior to the game with SDSU, the Bears will honor their graduating seniors in their annual Senior Day ceremony.
 
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