Nov. 8, 2011

Final Stats

BERKELEY -

The California Golden Bears fell, 2-0, to the Atlantic-10 Champion Richmond Spiders at the NCAA Play-In game in Berkeley.

Cal, who hadn't surrendered a goal in its last two games, fell behind 12 minutes into the first period when Richmond's leading scorer, Katelin Peterson, took advantage of a scramble in front of the goal that left senior goalkeeper Maddie Hand leaning in the wrong direction. Peterson smashed a shot into the empty side of the goal and put Richmond up, 1-0. Peterson added an insurance goal in the second half, giving the Spiders a 2-0 lead.

"It was disappointing to finish with not our best game of the year" said head coach Shellie Onstead. "They came out and executed well from the start. We didn't have our usual punch. I thought we played a little timid. We got back on track, but couldn't quite get it done.

The Bears managed nine shots, with Richmond's Anna Zarkoski scrambling for five saves, but Richmond's strong defense kept the Bears from having a good look at the goal.

"Richmond was willing to expend a lot of energy, with pressure," Onstead said. "The stats are pretty even. They just did a better job executing than we did in terms of chances on goal."

This was the first time this season the potent Bear offense had been shutout. Cal ranks ninth in the NCAA in goals per game, averaging 3.63.

The Spiders (16-6) earned an automatic spot in the 16 team NCAA tournament witht he victory.

The Bears, who were No. 16 in the polls last week, rose to No. 11 in the Kookaburra NFHCA final poll of the year, matching the highest-ever ranking for the program in the poll.

The game marked the end to the season for the Bears who did not earn an at-large bid for the 16-team NCAA Tournament. Cal ends the season with a mark of 16-4. The Bears' 16 wins are the second most in the history of the program. The Bears have twice won 17 games, going 17-5 in both 2004 and 2006.