BERKELEY – The Cal field hockey team wrapped up its preseason schedule on Sunday with a strong performance against the Olympic Club. The Golden Bears earned a 3-1 win in very hot conditions, getting a pair of goals from freshman Holly Pears, one of 11 newcomers who made their debut at Underhill Field.
 
Cal finished the afternoon with 11 shots, eight coming after the intermission. Late in the first period, it was graduate transfer Daniella Rhodes who broke a scoreless tie with her lone goal of the afternoon.
 
"It was really good to get a home game in the hot conditions and get a chance to see everyone play again," said Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstead. "I think today helped us narrow down what our depth chart will be and I thought the team responded really well. We had a really hard week last week by design, and they (Cal) were gassed. We knew that from the data we collect. I was hoping they could dig in and perform and I thought they did a really good job. Part of this was preparation for next weekend when we play three games in four days."
 
The Olympic Club, which is comprised of many former Division I players, finished the afternoon with eight shots, six on goal. Loren Shealy scored the lone goal of the day for Olympic Club, coming at the 45th minute, just over a minute after Pears made it 2-0 Cal.

Late in the fourth quarter with Cal holding on to a 2-1 advantage, the Olympic Club pulled their goalie in an attempt to get an extra player on the outfield. A turnover led to a 3-on-1 situation where freshman Isabelle Panikowski sent a pass from the right side of the box to Pears who scored on the open net to make it 3-1 with less than 30 seconds remaining.
 
Sophomores Tina Jolly and Audrey Post split keeper duties, each playing a half. Jolly finished the afternoon with four saves.
 
Cal will make its 2023 debut on Friday, August 25 when the Bears host Miami Ohio. It is the first of four home games in seven days for the Bears. Friday's game against the Redhawks is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
 
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