HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The California field hockey team scored a pair of goals in the first quarter and made them last as the Golden Bears defeated Long Island 2-1 on Friday afternoon at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium.
 
The Bears (2-3) got on the board early thanks to goals by Daniella Rhodes and Kitty Baccanello. Rhodes scored the opening goal in the 11th minute off a feed from Claire Hind on a penalty corner. Four minutes later, Baccanello n the game-winning goal, scoring in the 14th minute on an assist from Bente Baekers.
 
Cal had the momentum heading into the intermission, outshooting LIU (0-5) 8-4. However, three minutes into the third quarter, the game was halted due to lightning. After an hour delay, play was resumed and the Sharks stole the momentum.
 
LIU tallied four shots in the third quarter, including a goal by Saarah Olton in the 39th minute to make it 2-1. Cal's Tina Jolly (2-3) stood tall the rest of the way, making the one-goal advantage stand. It was Jolly's second-quarter save on a penalty stroke that got the Bears into the locker room at the half with a two-goal cushion. The save on the penalty stroke was Jolly's second of he year.
 
"One of the most difficult games I've ever been involved in, because of things out of your control like a lightning delay," Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstad said. "We knew we would have to manage things like the weather and a field we weren't used to, but some things were out of our control today. I thought we played well in the first quarter and an OK second half. Out of the break, we were a little flat."
 
Cal returns to action Saturday morning when it takes on Stonehill at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium. The game will not feature live video, but fans can follow the action live via live stats at Calbears.com.
 
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