BERKELEY - The No. 22 California women's soccer team defeated visiting Miami 3-2 Sunday afternoon in the first ever meeting between the two programs. Two Golden Bear defenders,
Miriam Hils and
Malia McMahon, found the net for the first time this season in the high-scoring affair.
The Bears (10-1-2, 3-0-1), who entered the day with the ninth-most goals in the country, needed all three scores today to extend their unbeaten streak to 11 matches. Cal now has nine multi-goal efforts this year and still has not been shutout. This is the best record that the Bears have had through the first 13 matches since 2000 when the Bears went 11-1-1.
In the 21st minute the Hurricanes (3-5-2, 0-3-1) fouled the Bears just outside of the 18-yard box to set up a free kick within striking distance. Hils stepped to the spot with only one thought in mind - scoring her second career goal. The sophomore fired a shot with her left foot and found the back of the net to give Cal an early 1-0 lead.
Miami striker Giovana Canali got the Hurricanes on the board with an impressive equalizer in the 27th minute, the first of two on the day for the freshman.
Cal responded in the 42nd minute with senior
Alexis Wright taking as much real estate as she could until she was met by a Hurricane defender deep in the penalty area. Instead of taking a tough shot the Bear veteran centered the ball for
Julia Leontini who cut to the middle and fired in her second goal of the season.
Down 2-1, once again it was Canali getting the equalizer for the U, this time in the 69th minute. Her impressive unassisted goal renewed the contest at 2-2.
The Bears were on the verge of being shutout in the second half for the first time this season but broke through and found the game-winner in the 78th minute. Leontini lined up for a corner kick and sent it deep towards the back post where McMahon was waiting. The sophomore center back leaped and headed the ball off the Miami goalkeeper and into the net for her first career goal.
Cal goalkeeper
Teagan Wy made her second straight start since returning from the U20 Women's World Cup and picked up her second straight win. The junior tallied five saves and improved to 3-1-0 on the year.
The Bears will now have a week off from competition before returning to Edwards on Thursday, October 10 to host No. 2 North Carolina.
