Bears Advance To First America East Championship

LOWELL, Mass. – After going down two goals early to the top seed in the tournament, the California field hockey team survived a double-overtime thriller thanks to a hat trick from forward Daniella Rhodes. Rhodes’ game winner came in the 73rd minute of the second overtime in a 3-2 win over No. 1 seed UMass-Lowell on the Wicked Blue Field on Friday afternoon. 

For the second consecutive game, the Golden Bears (11-7) were going up against a team looking for its first postseason win, and for the second game, Cal denied its opponent. The Bears won their seventh game in a row thanks to the incredible performance from Rhodes, who recorded her second hat trick of the season and fourth of her career.

“I keep telling the team, no matter the score line it's going to be a one-goal game,” Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstead said. “I’m super proud of the fact that they came back from two goals down and never panicked. It was not the same feeling as yesterday. I felt like both teams were playing carefully in the first quarter, but we got it rolling after their first goal.

Cal finished the day with 20 shots, with 11 on goal. UMass-Lowell (14-4) countered with 11 shots and six on goal. Tina Jolly (11-7) was tremendous in the net for the Bears, finishing the day with four saves. She did not allow the River Hawks to score after their second goal early in the second quarter.

“The defense played great against a challenging system that UMass plays,” Onstead added. “Offensively, everyone did their part; the forwards were fantastic. Daniella was spectacular in recording the hat trick, but Kitty (Baccanello), Holly (Pears), and Bente (Baekers) all played well. In the back, Tina once again saved us with her play. But I’m also thrilled with how the midfield played. I thought Sophie Everett was really good today. Overall very pleased with our performance.”

UMass-Lowell dominated possession early and had a chance to put the game away in the first quarter. In the ninth minute, the River Hawks broke the scoreless tie when Isabelle Halters deflected a pass back into the net for her sixth goal of the season. Following the opening goal by Halters, UMass-Lowell appeared to score two more goals. However, both goals were called back, allowing the Bears to catch their breath as the first quarter ended.

Early in the second period, the River Hawks made it 2-0 on a goal by Madison Leeper in the 18th minute.

From there, Cal’s offense came to life. The Bears received shots on goal by Sophie Everett, Holly Pears, and Rhodes but just couldn’t find the back of the cage. Cal maintained the pressure, rarely letting the ball get back into its half. At the 23-minute mark, the Bears broke through. Rhodes scored her 17th of the year on a penalty corner, blasting a shot from the top of the circle. Cato Geusgens and Claire Hind were credited with assists.

Five minutes later Rhodes struck again. The all-conference player bounced the ball up to herself and sent a blistering shot to the lower left corner of the cage for her 18th goal of the season and tied the game at 2-2. After falling behind 2-0, the Bears outshot the Riverhawks 5-1 in the second quarter.

In the third period, Marie Oliemans (7-2) took over keeper duties for UMass-Lowell. Cal immediately tested her 50 seconds in the quarter with a shot on goal by Merel Hanssen. The River Hawks briefly took back the momentum in the third, outshooting Cal 5-3. In the fourth the Bears once again applied heavy pressure on the hosts, finishing with an 8-0 shot advantage. Pears was hunting for the game winner and had three shots late but couldn’t get one past Oliemans.

In the first overtime, the River Hawks had a good opportunity for the game winner, getting a penalty corner in the 66th minute. However, Cal’s defense was up to the task and did not allow UMass-Lowell to fire off a shot. A few minutes later Halters picked up a loose ball in the circle and sent a shot towards Jolly, who recorded the save.

With the score still knotted up 2-2 in the 73rd minute Rhodes struck again. She got a pass on the left side of the circle and beat two defenders before shooting from the right side of the wing past Oliemans to complete the hat trick.

“I am really happy that we put two complete games back-to-back,” Onstead said. “I’m looking forward to the day off tomorrow and ready to compete for a championship on Sunday.”

Cal will wait to see who it plays in the America East Tournament Championship on Sunday. They will play the winner of the game between No. 6 Maine and No. 2 UAlbany. The championship game is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. PT and will feature live video and stats for fans to follow.