BERKELEY, Calif. – Returning to the Bay Area after playing four of the last five games on the East Coast, Stanford field hockey dropped a tightly-contested battle to rival California, 2-0, on Friday night. The Cardinal moves to 3-6 this season (2-4 America East) with the result.
Stanford more than doubled the number of shots from Cal, holding a 13-6 advantage, but was unable to put the ball into the back of the cage. Molly Redgrove led the charge with four shots, while Lynn Vanderstichele and Juli Porto fired two each. Megan Frost added to Stanford's nation-leading defensive saves total with one in the match.
Cal struck first in the fourth minute after they were awarded a penalty stroke. That proved the Bears' only offensive output of the opening frame, but the teams left for the half with Stanford trailing by one goal.
The Cardinal had a series of chances in the third frame, including seven of the team's eight penalty corners and eight shots, but the Bears were able to withstand the pressure. The home team doubled their advantage in the 45th minute to take a 2-0 lead into the final period.
Stanford outshot Cal in the final frame, 3-0, but Cal saved both shots on target to preserve the clean sheet.
The Cardinal has a quick turnaround to Sunday, where it will face UC Davis in a non-conference match at noon.