Berkeley, Calif. – Despite twice building a one goal lead in the first half, the San Jose State women's soccer team fell to the California Golden Bears 5-2 on Sunday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif.
"At the 41st minute, we were up 2-1, so our game plan was working," said head coach Jeff Leightman. "Then, we gave up three goals in two minutes and that is what did us in. To allow them to make the score 4-2 really hurt."
The Spartans (0-1-1) opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Freshman Mikaella Meibock took a near-side corner kick that sailed directly to a group of players inside the six. Junior Cheryl Kute, who was standing at the near post, scooped up the ball and tapped it in past Golden Bear goalkeeper Emily Kruger's right shoulder for a 1-0 lead.
Cal's Grace Leer, who entered the game as a reserve, tied the game at the 21:54 mark with the first of three goals she would score on the day.
San Jose State regained the lead after a Cal (2-0-0) foul gave the Spartans a free kick. Junior Megan Molina took the kick five feet beyond on the center line. The ball soared toward Cal's net, bounced past Kruger and gave the Spartans a 2-1 advantage in the 32nd minute.
San Jose State's lead would not last long, however. Thelma Einarsdottir's free kick bent around the Spartans wall and above keeper Emily Pryor at the 41:30 mark for the equalizer and just 28 seconds later, Leer netted her second goal of the game during a scramble in front of the goal.
Then with five seconds left in the half, Pryor, standing six yards in front of her net, was caught off-guard by Leer. The sophomore recorded her third unassisted goal for the game and the season.
The Bears closed the scoring in the 55th minute with a goal off the foot of Ifeoma Onumonu.
California outshot the Spartans 19-to-5 for the match and 10-to-3 in shots on goal.
"I think we need to get a bit healthier," Leightman said. "Cal is a really good team and we gave them fits. Because of that, I'm really excited about where this team can go."
The Spartans return to action against CSU Bakersfield (0-2-0) on Friday, August 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.
Scoring by Periods
| 1 | 2 | Total | |
| San Jose State (0-1-1) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| California (2-0-0) | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Scoring Summary
SJSU: Cheryl Kute (1) (unassisted), 8:25
Megan Molina (1) (unassisted), 31:10
California: Grace Leer (1) (corner kick), 21:54
Thelma Einarsdottir (1) (unassisted), 41:30
Grace Leer (2) (unassisted), 41:58
Grace Leer (3) (unassisted), 44:55
Ifeoma Onumonu (1) (Kory Lamet), 54:49
Shots
SJSU: 5
California: 19
Corner Kicks
SJSU: 2
California: 8
Saves
Emily Pryor (SJSU): 2
Zoe Makrigiannis (SJSU): 3
Emily Kruger (USF): 1