October 16, 2005
BOX SCOREBERKELEY, Calif. -- Longwood University dropped an 8-0 first hockey decision to host California in Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac) action this afternoon in Berkeley, Calif. The Lancers fell to 4-10 overall and 1-3 in the NorPac, while the Golden Bears improved their overall record to 9-6 and now holds a 5-1 record in conference. Longwood will be back in action Tuesday, October 18 when they play at NorPac member Pacific. Game time is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET.
Host California scored six goals in the first stanza to take charge of the contest. Valentina Godfrid scored the eventual game-winner seven minutes into the game on shot from in front of the cage. Chilly Banuelos put the Golden Bears up by two goals when she scored on a penalty stroke at the 8:54 mark.
Jennifer Crane (23:33), Missy Crane (26:31), Jessica Bird (31:46) and Katie Cummings (32:41) closed out the first half scoring for California.
The Golden Bears increased their lead to 7-0 when Banuelos scored her second goal of the night 15 minutes into the second stanza off an assist by Andrea Lo. Bird then closed out the scoring for California when she scored with less than a second left in the contest. Godfrid was credited with the assist.
“We played a much improved game today” said head coach Nancy Joel. “We applied more pressure throughout and created a few opportunities for ourselves. Senior Sarah Hitchings played a tremendous game at sweeper. It was her first game at sweeper, but she really did a good job controlling things from the back.
“California is a very talented team. I see them representing the NorPac in the NCAA Tournament this year.”
California finished the contest with a 19-7 advantage in shots and held an 11-6 edge in penalty corners. Sophomore goalkeeper Avanell Schmitz/Newport News (Denbigh) finished the contest with seven saves, while Veronica Sykes made three saves for the Golden Bears.
