Aug. 24, 2008

Box Score

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Redshirt sophomore Lisa Kevorkian netted two goals to lead No. 15 California to a 3-1 victory over San Jose State Sunday at Spartan Stadium in the Golden Bears' season opener. The Spartans fell to 0-2, as they lost their season opener to Santa Clara, 3-0, on Friday.

"It's always good to start the season with a win," said second-year Cal head coach Neil McGuire. "We created a lot of goal-scoring opportunities, but we need to improve our efficiency rate in front of the goal. San Jose State was very well organized and tough to break down."

Kevorkian gave Cal a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after she knocked in sophomore forward Alex Morgan's shot that deflected off a defender.

After Cal led 1-0 at halftime, Emmy Belding tied the game at 1-1 with an unassisted goal in the 51st minute.

Kevorkian, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, recorded what eventually proved to be the game-winning goal with a shot near the roof of the left post in the 59th minute. Morgan and redshirt junior Katherine Daiss were credited with assists.

Morgan capped the Bears' scoring in the 77th minute after receiving a through ball from redshirt freshman forward Natasha Richardson. Morgan, a member of the U.S. under-20 national team, led Cal in points (18) and goals (8) as a rookie.

Cal held a commanding 33-8 shot advantage, including 14-4 in shots on goal. Morgan led Cal with seven shots, and Kevorkian held team-high honors with four shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Gina Pellegrini secured three saves for the Bears, and goalkeeper Jordan Santos came up with 11 saves for the Spartans.

Cal faces Cal State Fullerton in its home opener Aug. 29 at 4:30 p.m. at Edwards Stadium.

Scoring Summary Cal Lisa Kevorkian (Alex Morgan) 10:34 SJSU Emmy Belding 50:09 Cal Lisa Kevorkian (Alex Morgan, Katherine Daiss) 58:43 Cal Alex Morgan (Natasha Richardson) 76:44

Shots: Cal 33 (Alex Morgan 7), SJSU 8 (Emmy Belding 4). Shots on Goal: Cal 14 (Lisa Kevorkian 4), SJSU 4 (Emmy Belding 4). CK: Cal 5, SJSU 1. Saves: Cal 3 (Gina Pellegrini 3), SJSU 11 (Jordan Santos 11). Fouls: Cal 14, SJSU 6. Yellow Cards: Cal (Katie Oakes 60:24 , Alex Morgan 89:01), SJSU none. Red Cards: None. Attendance: 428. Records: Cal 1-0, SJSU 0-2.