The Cal field hockey team proved victorious on April 3, 2021, defeating UC Davis. This game was a testament to the Bears’ resilience, focus and determination, as they stepped away from Underhill Field with a win of 3-2 after two overtimes. Cal is once again scheduled to face UC Davis on Sunday at 1 p.m. Unlike the two teams’ previous matchup, this one is an away game for Cal — located at the Aggie Field Hockey Facility in Davis.
The Bears currently hold a 7-4 winning streak, standing firmly in the America East Conference with the playoffs fast approaching, scheduled to take place from Nov. 4 to 6. With this event looming, the blue and gold currently stand in the second spot overall with a shooting percentage of 0.636.
This promising standing for Cal is a result of valiant team efforts. Graduate student Anne Van Hoof, the Bears’ backfielder from Schijndel, Netherlands, has contributed five of her own goals throughout the season and stands as a team leader in terms of most individually scored goals. The Bears are ranked No. 23 in the NCAA and first within the America East Conference.
In the first game of the season against Stanford, Cal walked away with a win, fueling fans’ excitement for the rest of the season. The same winning success followed in the Bears’ games against Dartmouth and Brown.
In their latest game, against the University of Vermont, the Bears again triumphed, finishing 2-0. Up to this point, Cal has averaged about four saves per game compared to its competitors, which have had to save about five of their goals per game. In the two times the blue and gold have lost this season, they have subsequently bounced back with at least one win.
With big games against Stanford coming up and with the playoffs nearing, the Bears need to maintain their momentum, which has already proven to be of aid in their impressive achievements. Their intensity and energy are high, and so long as they continue with the same resilience, focus and determination, there’s certainly no telling how far Cal will go this season.
Will the Bears walk off the field Sunday with another win? Fans can find out by attending the away game at UC Davis at 1 p.m. There is no doubt that Cal is coming in hot and is only planning to turn up the heat.