BERKELEY, Calif. – The California field hockey team (7-7) defeated Louisville (5-11), 2-1, on Friday at Underhill Field in Berkeley, Calif. The Golden Bears made history after achieving their first-ever ACC win, while Shellie Onstead notched her 300th career win as a head coach.
 
"Our defense had to step up and dig in. I felt like we were giving them too many opportunities with unforced turnovers," Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstead said. "We are going to celebrate this by getting ready to beat Wake Forest and keep this momentum going to try to get into the ACC tournament. That's our main focus."
 
The Bears found success early after scoring two goals in the opening period. Freshman Liz Klompmaker ended her scoreless streak by capitalizing on a penalty corner within the first four minutes of the game. Freshman Pauline Lingnau and graduate student Canisha van Duyn assisted on the play. Klompmaker wasn't finished as she earned her second goal of the night and 13th of the season nearly four minutes later to give Cal the 2-0 lead. In the frame, the Bears outshot the Cardinals (11-0) and held the advantage in corners (5-0).
 
Louisville finally cut its deficit in half after finding the back of the net late in the first half. The Cardinals increased their intensity in the second period after totaling four shots and two corners in the frame.
 
The second half was a defensive standstill as neither team could find the back of the net. The Bears managed to fend off a flurry of shot attempts by the Cardinals en route to recording seven saves during that span. Cal held on to secure a 2-1 victory and snapped its six-game losing streak.
 
Cal will complete its 2024 home slate on Senior Day against Wake Forest on Sunday.