Nothing leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of any Bear like a shutout by archrival Stanford. This is especially true for coach Shellie Onstead and the Cal field hockey team (3-4, 0-1 NorPac) as the Bears look to even their record in their upcoming conference home game against the Pacific Tigers (2-6, 0-0 NorPac) at Maxwell Field on Friday and Sunday.
After taking only one shot on goal in Palo Alto last week, the Bears took to the practice field this week with a newfound conviction and a particular focus on offense — more specifically, on ball control and possession.
“We gave up too many turnovers in the middle of the field and in the attacking third,” Onstead said.
Fortunately for Cal, the Tigers’ defense has been dormant all season, allowing almost four goals per game.
The Bears likely will look to junior forward Andrea Earle for much of their offensive productivity. She leads the team with 14 shots and four goals after coming back from an injury last season. Earle earned All-America honors in 2011 and looks to continue her stellar season against the struggling Pacific defense.
This game, at least on the surface, appears to be little more than a chance for a hushed Cal offense — one that has scored only once in its last three games — to build up some confidence before tackling the bulk of its schedule.
The Tigers’ offense has been weak, averaging just one goal per game, and has often had trouble keeping up with opponents throughout the season. Against Cal, it will have to find a way around standout goalie Courtney Hendrickson if it hopes to take home the much needed win.
Hendrickson has shined in the cage, saving 10 or more shots in two games this season and accumulating a .807 save percentage. She has emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the country and has kept the Cal squad competitive in many of its matches this season.
“Courtney has a lot more confidence this year,” Onstead said. “The focus she has placed on technical skills has been phenomenal.”
If there is any hope for the Tigers, it will need to come on offense. Cal’s defense is hurting after giving up a season-high three goals against Stanford and allowing six goals in its current three-game slide. The Bears’ defense will have to be prepared to handle senior forward Melissa Maultsby, who has had goals in three of the last four games for the Tigers and looks to have a breakout performance against Cal. The Bears defense needs to watch the whole field, as senior midfielder Emily Tregoning has provided the bulk of the Tigers’ assists this year and is always a threat to put the ball in scoring position.
Cal cannot afford to overlook any possible threats coming from a determined Pacific squad. This is a match the Bears must win if they wish to remain contenders in the NorPac Conference.