Berkeley, California - The #12 California Golden Bears secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the #13 Pittsburgh Panthers at Edwards Stadium, with an attendance of 627, on a chilly November evening. This win marked the Golden Bears' third consecutive victory, improving their record to 8-7-2 overall and 2-5-1 in conference play. The Panthers, on the other hand, saw their losing streak extend to one game, dropping to 6-7-5 overall and 1-4-3 in conference.
The game's defining moment came in the 34th minute when Beau Morrison scored the lone goal of the match, assisted by Gaku Nishimura and Cam Wilkerson.. This goal demonstrated the Golden Bears' ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, as they outshot the Panthers 7-5. The Panthers' goalkeeper made six saves, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Golden Bears from taking the lead. As the match progressed, the Golden Bears continued to apply pressure, earning six corner kicks to the Panthers' four.
Key performers for the Golden Bears included Morrison, Nishimura, and Wilkerson, who all played crucial roles in the team's victory. For the Panthers, players like Alexander Dexter, Veljko Petkovic, and Jackson Walti worked tirelessly to create scoring chances, but ultimately fell short. The Golden Bears' defense limited the Panthers to 14 shot attempts, with five on goal. The Golden Bears had 11 shot attempts, with seven on goal.
The Golden Bears will look to extend their winning streak in their next match, while the Panthers seek to bounce back.
The match was also marked by a physical presence, with the Panthers receiving three yellow cards and the Golden Bears receiving one. Despite this, the Golden Bears maintained their composure and focus, ultimately emerging victorious. Cal's goalkeeper made five saves, including a crucial stop in the 65th minute. As the final whistle blew, the Golden Bears celebrated their hard-fought victory, while the Panthers reflected on what could have been.
With the win, the Golden Bears move to the championship game.