BERKELEY– For the third time this season the California women’s soccer team came back from down a goal to win a match. After falling behind in the first half the Golden Bears scored twice in the second to defeat Saint Mary’s 2-1 in their final nonconference contest Thursday night at Edwards Stadium. Cal will enter its first week of ACC action on a six-match win streak and a seven-match unbeaten streak.
With its seventh win Cal (7-1-1) has matched its win total from last season. The Gaels’ drop to 2-4-1 after their second straight loss.
The Bears outshot the Gaels 7-5 in the first half but could not break through despite several passes at the goal. SMC goalkeeper Kate Plachy earned four of her six total saves in the first period to keep Cal off the board. Gaels forward Briana Salvetti gave her team a 1-0 half-time lead scoring a penalty kick in the 40th minute.
In the 64th minute Cal’s offensive pressure finally paid off as the nation’s leading goal scorer Karlie Lema wreaked havoc on the Saint Mary’s back line and forced an own goal to tie the match at one apiece.
After having a goal called back from a video review in the first half, senior Noelle Bond-Flasza earned her first goal of the season in the 71st minute. Graduate-transfer Julia Leontini dribbled to the beginning of the penalty area and flicked a ball over the Gaels back line to Lema, who headed the ball directly to Bond-Flasza. The Bear’s forward wasted no time and fired in the game-winner with her right foot.
Graduate-transfer Kelly McManus picked up the win and a pair of saves.
Cal has the rest of the week off to prepare for…
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