10:00 a.m.
1999 VARSITY DEBUT SEASON GETS UNDERWAY: California opens the 1999 season on the road against Western Women's Lacrosse League (WWLL) Division I North conference foe Saint Mary's College Saturday at 10 a.m. on Garventa Field. Last season, the Bears easily defeated Saint Mary's 7-2 April 2nd in their only meeting of the year.
HEAD COACH JILL MALKO: Weighing in with an impressive 30-4 coaching record at Cal over the past two years, Jill Malko enters her fifth season at the helm of the Bears. As the club coach, Malko led Cal to consecutive WWLL Championships in 1996 and 1997. Malko, a 1985 graduate of Boston University, is assisted by Amy Williams (Temple '95), Vale Stipovich (UC Davis '98), and Diane Gardetto (Ripon College '92).
HOMECOMING OF SORTS FOR MALKO: Before taking over the women's lacrosse program at Cal, head coach Jill Malko served as the founder and head coach of the Saint Mary's College women's lacrosse club team from 1989 to 1995. Malko earned her masters in athletic administration at Saint Mary's before moving on to Cal.
BEARS AT HOME FOR NEXT THREE MATCH-UPS: Cal challenges cross-bay rival Stanford in its home opener February 20th in Memorial Stadium at 1 p.m. The Cardinal look to be the Bears toughest competitor in the WWLL this year. An early win over Stanford could propel the Bears into a very successful '99 campaign. On the following Tuesday, Cal finishes up its home-and-home series with Saint Mary's College at 4:00 p.m. Closing the three game home stand, the Bears host their annual alumnae game Saturday, February 27, at 12 noon.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE ADDED AS A VARSITY SPORT: Officially added as a varsity sport on April 21, 1998, the Cal women's lacrosse team increases the number of intercollegiate sports at Cal to 27 (14 women/13 men). On a national level, women's lacrosse is one of the most rapidly growing sports, with 56 NCAA Division I schools in competition, along with 19 Division II schools and 107 Division III institutions. Cal becomes the second Pac-10 university to sponsor women's lacrosse, in addition to Stanford University. Jill Malko was named the Bears head coach June 26, 1998 following a nationwide search.
CAL TO HOST PRESIDENT'S DAY MINI-CAMP: Jill Malko's coaching staff and players host an intensive three day pre-season camp for middle and high school lacrosse players of all levels February 13-15 at Kleeberger Field. To register, contact Coach Malko in the women's lacrosse office at 510-643-2580 or by e-mail at malkoj@uclink4.berkeley.edu.
