KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- The California women's soccer team dropped its season opener at Regal Stadium Thursday night falling to Tennessee 4-1.
 
Facing a program that had 10 shutouts last season, the Golden Bears found their first goal of the season in the 79th minute as junior forward Velize King netted a tough shot. Cal swung a free kick from the left flank all the way across midfield to King who found senior forward Amaya Gray for a nifty one-two. King beat three defenders, took it in stride, and played a ball that carried the Volunteer goalkeeper for her first career goal. Gray was credited with the assist, the second of her career.

 

The first goal of the season goes to Velize King! ??

It's the first of her career and it came from a ridiculous angle! ??#GoBears ?? pic.twitter.com/qGDIYjxOdU

— Cal Women's Soccer (@CalWSoc) August 18, 2023

 
Tennessee scored a pair of goals in the first half and took a 2-0 lead into the locker rooms before making it a 3-0 contest with a penalty kick in the 55^th minute. King's score cut the deficit to 3-1, but the Volunteers finished the night with another score in the 81st to make the final score 4-1.
 
Sophomore keeper Teagan Wy collected a career-high six saves in her first collegiate start including a few diving, highlight efforts.

 

TEAGAN!??

Diving point blank save for the keeper!#GoBears ?? pic.twitter.com/MuTqx3edSF

— Cal Women's Soccer (@CalWSoc) August 17, 2023

 
Up Next
Cal will now head to Chapel Hill, N.C. for a Sunday matinee with No. 2 North Carolina, which drew with Penn State 0-0 today. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. PT.