BERKELEY, Calif. –– A two-goal, fourth-quarter comeback forced overtime, but the Cal Golden Bears claimed a 4-3 win over American University field hockey in Friday's season opener.
Notable
How It Happened
In the fifth minute of the game, the Eagles won a penalty corner and with a direct slam from Morraye, capitalized to go up 1-0 early. Steinman and Winkler were the inserter and stopper, respectively, on the penalty corner, which earned both an assist.
With only 21 seconds remaining in the first half, Cal struck back and leveled it at 1-all with a strike from a penalty corner.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Golden Bears went up 2-1 in the 37th minute to take their first lead of the game over the Eagles. Cal doubled their lead, going up 3-1 with another goal in the 39th minute.
In the fourth quarter, American added another goal by way of Reicher who put away the ball after a scramble in front of the Cal goal to bring the Eagles back within one with 10 minutes left to play. It would then be Dulin in the 57th minute to knot the contest up at 3-all and force overtime.
In the end, Cal took the 4-3 overtime victory over American off a goal in the 67th minute.
From Head Coach Jennings
"Tonight's match was a hard-fought match with tremendous swings of momentum. We started on the front foot and then Cal took over before we responded in the fourth quarter.
"Cal has a great team, and it was certainly a great show for everyone in attendance.
"I am very proud of the way we came out in the first half and in the way we closed the gap to force overtime. We will focus on how to sustain our momentum and be tougher in the critical moments. While today was a loss, we learned a great deal and found a way to grow within the match. We know when we apply today's lessons, they will lead to future success."
Coming Up
The Eagles remain on the West Coast to take on another ACC California team, battling Stanford on Sunday at 2 p.m. EST. Then, AU returns home to Jacobs Complex for a three-game home stint, starting with Richmond on Friday, Sept. 4.
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