California Golden Bears Athletics
Cal Hosts American, Central Michigan To Open 2026 Season
8/26/2026 12:00 PM | Field Hockey
Golden Bears Begin 50th Season At Underhill Field
The California field hockey team opens the 2026 season at home this weekend hosting American on Friday at 6 p.m. PT, and Central Michigan on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT. This season the Golden Bears will face eight teams that are ranked in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NHFCA) Preseason Poll.
Cal is 2-3 all-time against American and last played the Eagles on the road on Oct. 18, 2009, falling 0-2.
The Bears are undefeated against Central Michigan, leading the all-time series 3-0. The last matchup with the Chippewas was at home on Oct. 6, 2019, where Cal dominated with a 8-1 victory.
2025 Recap
The California field hockey team finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 8-8 and a 3-5 mark in ACC play. The Golden Bears were featured in the Penn Monto/NFHCA DI National Coaches Poll at No. 19 after a sweep at home, beating Boston College in a two-overtime thriller followed by an upset over No. 5 Syracuse. The Bears then swept the ACC player of the week honors with Liz Klompmaker being named offensive player of the week and goalie Delphine Ayitey-Hammond being named defensive player of the week.
The Bears advanced to the ACC Championship after finishing the regular season tied for fifth place, but fell short in the first round to Duke. This marked the last game for the previous Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey, Shellie Onstead, following 30 years at the helm.
The Bears were led by Klompmaker who led the team in points (34), goals (16) and game-winning goals (4). Klompmaker scored in 11 of 16 games played during the 2025 season, including three multi-goal performances. Klompmaker was named a Third Team NFHCA All-American and earned First Team NFHCA All-Region and All-ACC honors.
New Coaching Era
This season marks the first under the leadership of the Donna Fong Co-Directors of Field Hockey, Tara and Steve Danielson. Tara Danielson comes to Cal after serving as the head coach at Stanford alongside Steve Danielson from 2010-21, while Steve Danielson spent the previous five seasons as the associate head coach at the University of New Hampshire. Together, the coaching pair brings more than 30 years of combined coaching experience, highlighted by NCAA Tournament success, international competition and developing student-athletes into All-Americans and nationally recognized players.
Fresh Faces
The Golden Bears welcome five new players to this year's roster, which includes four freshmen and one graduate transfer. Highlighting this year's newcomers are freshman Maria Scocco and graduate transfer Carine Van Wiechen. Scocco was a standout for her high school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, St. Georges College North, while Van Wiechen was a consistent presence in the cage for Boston College last season, only allowing 10 goals in 12 appearances.
Returning Experience
Cal will have plenty of experience coming back as it returns seven full-time starters from last season, headlined by Klompmaker, who was named to the Preseason All-ACC Team. Also expected to make an impact is senior Holly Pears. Pears ranked third on the team in points (11) last season, highlighted by scoring the game-winning overtime goal against UC Davis.
About The American Eagles
American is coming off a 12-6 season in 2025. The Eagles, who were ranked atop the Patriot League Preseason Poll, are led by senior Jordan Reicher, the Patriot League Preseason Forward of the Year, senior Emilia Winkler, the Preseason Midfielder of the Year, and senior Sophie Willemse, who was selected to the Preseason All-League Team.
About The Central Michigan Chipewas
Central Michigan is coming off a 10-9 season in 2025, with four student-athletes earning All-MAC honors. Second Team All-MAC selection Carolena Ryon and All-Freshman selection Mora Rulli return to lead the Chippewas this season.
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