PITTSBURGH, Penn.– A win on the road is how the California women's soccer team opened up its ACC schedule Thursday night defeating host Pitt 2-1 in the Golden Bears' first ever trip to Ambrose Urbanic Field.
Cal (4-1-4, 1-0-0 ACC) kicks off its ACC campaign with a 1-0-0 record for the second straight year and has now gone unbeaten in five straight matches. The Panthers (4-3-2, 0-1-0) are now 0-2-0 lifetime against the Bears and took their first loss of the month.
It had been 12 days since Cal last scored or allowed a goal earning two straight scoreless draws to start September. Freshman
Elhom Khursand put an end to that drought with her first collegiate goal in the 22nd minute of this contest. Fellow freshman
Olivia McPherson dribbled down to the right endline and played a ball into the near post for
Lumi Kostmayer. Instead of taking a contested shot the senior forward hit a back heel and centered the ball perfectly for Khursand, who rolled in the opening score.
It had been 693 days since
Mia Fontana, who is in her 7th year with the program, had scored a goal but the forward from Burlingame found the game winner tonight. In the 36th minute freshman
Mia Van More stole the ball from the Panthers midfield and played it up to Fontana who dribbled a long way before drawing out Pitt goalkeeper Abby Reisz and firing a ball past her from just inside the penalty area.
Cal goalkeeper
Teagan Wy picked up the win and a pair of saves and has now allowed one or less goals in six straight matches. The senior now boasts a 0.89 goals allowed average this season with a conference-leading 37 saves.
Both teams tallied eight shots on the night with the Bears putting five of theirs on frame for a potent .625 shots on goal percentage.
The road trip continues Sunday for the Bears who will take on a Clemson team that is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll and erased a 2-0 deficit to tie No. 3 Stanford. It will be the first ever meeting between the Bears and Tigers and it is set for 10 a.m. PT at Historic Riggs Field. The match will be broadcast on ACC Network.
