On Friday, Cal women’s soccer team crushed Kent State 5-1 in its first match of the Cal Invitational at Edwards Stadium.
The Bears (4-1) put up their first goal in the fifth minute, when forward Katie Benz placed a long pass from defender Danielle Brunache into the back of the net. But only one minute later, the Golden Flashes tied the match when defender Vanessa Salerno’s shot went between goalkeeper Emily Kruger’s legs.
After the tying goal, Cal was locked in a stalemate throughout the first half. Although the Bears produced multiple opportunities to take the lead, the players had difficulty turning them into goals.
But in the 54th minute, the deadlock broke. Brunache used her height and strength to muscle in a goal from a corner kick, scoring her first goal in nearly three years.
Soon after, Cal began to pile goals on Kent State. Within 10 minutes after the second goal, the Bears had scored two goals from defender Thelma Einarsdottir and midfielder Lauren Battung to widen the lead, 4-1.
In the 81st minute, Cal placed the icing on the cake when forward Mekenna DeBack scored her fourth goal of the season.
The Bears will take on Denver on Sunday at 3 p.m.
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