Sept. 2, 2011

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Box Score

BERKELEY - While it took some time for the California women's soccer team to warm up, the Golden Bears came alive when they needed to with four second-half goals to topple Kent State, 5-1, on Friday afternoon. After Cal struck first in the fourth, the Flashes tied things less than a minute later and the score remained knotted until the 54th minute, when the Bears unleashed.

"While we are always pleased with a win, we didn't play our best," Cal head coach Neil McGuiresaid. "Kent State made it hard for us in the first half with a gritty performance but we were able to do better in the second half."

The Bears (4-1) got goals from Katie Benz, Danielle Brunache, Thelma Bjork Einarsdottir, Lauren Battung and Mekenna DeBacken route to their win over Kent State (3-1).

"I think it's quite clear that we were not quite mentally prepared in the first half to be disciplined or put out a game-winning effort," Battung said. "The second half was another story. We established rhythm, talked more and improved our movement and angles. That was the key to our second-half success, and that's what we hope to strive for with more consistency in our next games."

In all, the Bears out shot the Flashes, 30-7, nine of which came from Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick.

"We had a rough start and finally found our ground during the second half," DeBack said. "We communicated, moved off the ball more and our intensity level rose. Wonderful goals were scored and the support from the bench was awesome!"

Emily Kruger started and allowed the goal while Kathleen Messingermade two saves in 21:16 minutes between the posts.

4:42 - Cal 1, Kent State 0:

The first goal came at 4:42, when Brunache had a long pass into Benz, who ran onto it and slotted it past the Kent State goalkeeper.

5:31 - Cal 1, Kent State 1:

The Flashes responded when Vanessa Salerno scored in the box off a cross from Jessacca Gironda.

53:21 - Cal 2, Kent State 1:

From 5:31-53:21, things were knotted at 1-1. It was then, in the 54th minute, that Danielle Brunache scored the third goal of her Cal career and the first since her freshman year.

"It was a great corner kick from Fitz that I was able to put on frame," Brunache said. "I was shocked, in a good way, on scoring. We started off a little flat and really picked up our intensity level in the second half to put Kent State away."

59:02 - Cal 3, Kent State 1:

Holding a 2-1 lead, Einarsdottir distanced the Bears when she collected a rebound off a shot from Fitzpatrick.

64:05 - Cal 4, Kent State 1:

In the 65th minute, Lauren Battung scored with Katie Benz assisting.

"I received a split pass through a small gap in the defense and faced up the last two defenders," Battung said. "I took a touch to the left and saw the entire weak side of the goal open and slotted the ball."

81:34 - Cal 5, Kent State 1:

For the final score, which occurred at 81:34, DeBack put one towards the far post with Kaitlin Dickmannon the assist.

"I saw the ball roll out in the 18 and there was an opening in the top right corner of the net so I decided to take the shot," DeBack said of her score.

Next Time on the Pitch:

The Cal Invitational continues Sunday, when Kent State and USF face off at 12:30 p.m. at Edwards Stadium. The Bears close the tourney with a 3 p.m. match against Denver.