MORAGA, Calif. - After facing off No. 1 Stanford, the Saint Mary's Women's soccer team will be on the road to take on Cal in Berkeley after already seeing them in Moraga for an exhibition match. 
 
GAME INFORMATION AND COVERAGE
 
Date: Thursday, September 12th 
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Edwards Stadium, Berkeley
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Stream: ESPN+
 
GAELS RECAP
The Gaels faced off against the No. 1 team in the nation in Moraga, where they held Stanford to a 1-0 score. The Cardinal were on a streak in scoring in the first five minutes of the game or five minutes at the start of the second half, but SMC was able to break their streak. 
 
In the 30th minute, Saint Mary's had one of their best attempts of the night. Savannah Schwarze gained possession in the midfield, passed the ball to her teammate on the left side, allowing Briana Salvetti to fight for it at the top of the box. Salvetti made a pass, allowing SMC to launch the ball into the box. With the pass intended for Schwarze, Stanford goalkeeper Haley Craig ran out, colliding with Schwarze to gain possession. 
 
The Gaels had a different mindset coming into the second half, with Salvetti attempting a shot in the 47th second of the half. After an attempt from Stanford, SMC applied pressure in Cardinal territory with Taylor Kessler shooting wide. Stanford applied pressure on the Saint Mary's defense, challenging Kate Plachy.  
 
The Gaels gave Stanford a taste of their own medicine with the perfect opportunity to put one in the back of the net in the 79th minute. With Saint Mary's backline gaining possession, Khalia Gathright made a long pass down the field where Sydney Middaugh outran her defender and brought the ball down to the wing. Middaugh crossed to Tessa Salvestrin, but Salvestrin was one step ahead with the ball hitting her thigh causing the ball to go right back to Stanford. 
 
The Gaels continued to put pressure as Emmie Ennis regained possession for Saint Mary's as she passed it to Schwarze. Schwarze to Middaugh, where Middaugh attempts to cross the pass one more time, but Stanford defense, in the right spot, heads the ball out. 
 
By the end of the match, Saint Mary's contained the Cardinal to eight total shots with the Gaels taking two, along with Plachy making four saves.
 
ABOUT CAL (ACC Conference)
Cal is sitting at a 6-1-1 overall record for the 2024 season as they have only fallen short to Santa Clara who was ranked No. 22 when they faced off on August 18th. The Bears have competed against three WCC foes, one being Santa Clara, the other two being Gonzaga (1-1 tie) and USF (6-1 win). Including the San Francisco win, Cal is on a five game winning streak. The Bears earned their first shutout of the season, after defeating the Titans 1-0 with a late goal in the 78th minute. 
 
The Senior Karlie Lema recently had her first career hat trick, which helped lead California to a 4-1 win over Nevada. With her performance against Nevada, an own goal on Nevada, and an assist in the San Diego match, Lema was named Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Week and ACC Offensive Player of the Week for the week of September 9th. She now leads the Bears with 11 goals this season, 24 points, and two assists. 
 
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