Cardinals Fall Short at California

Friday, October 25

Berkeley, CA

7:00 PM

University of Louisville

(5-11)

California

(7-7)

LOU

California

Rylie Wollerton dribbles the ball in the game against Boston College

October 25, 2024 | Field Hockey

Box Score

Rylie Wollerton scores her sixth goal of the season, but Cards can't overcome a 2-0 deficit

By: Lori Harmon

BERKELEY, Calif. – The University of Louisville field hockey team fell 2-1 to California in an Atlantic Coast Conference game Friday evening at Underhill Field Hockey Field.

Rylie Wollerton registered her sixth goal of the season in the second quarter, but it wasn't enough as the host Golden Bears scored a pair of goals in the first eight minutes of the game and held off a late Louisville attack to prevail 2-1.

Cal (7-7, 1-6) jumped on the scoreboard quickly with a penalty corner goal by Liz Klompmaker just three minutes into the game. Four minutes later, she struck again to extend the lead to 2-0. The Cardinals' defense withstood a flurry of shots with goalkeeper Brandelyn Heinbaugh posting five saves in the first 15 minutes. She would go on to finish the game with seven stops.

Louisville regrouped during the quarter break and attacked early in the second frame with Aimee Plumb and Izzy Bianco each delivering a shot on goal. The Cards finally broke through with 3:05 left to play in the half when Aimee Plumb directed a penalty corner shot toward the cage and found a diving Rylie Wollerton who notched her team-best sixth goal of the season to cut the lead in half.

Keeping the momentum, Chloe Cuzzupe delivered another shot on goal two minutes later, but Cal goalkeeper Tina Jolly was there for the stop. The Bears' had one final chance to score in the final second of the half, but Heinbaugh came up big again to keep the score 2-1 entering the half.

Through the first two quarters, the Bears outshot the Cards 11-4 with a 7-0 advantage in shots on goal and a 5-2 edge in penalty corners.

The third quarter brought more scoring opportunities with the Cardinals tallying six shots, four on goal. Their best chance game midway through the frame when Aimee Plumb's penalty stroke attempt was stopped by Jolly.

Louisville continued to build its attack, earning four corners in the fourth quarter – including two as time expired, but Jolly posted three late saves – finishing the game with nine- to hold the Cardinals at bay.

In the game, the teams had 14 shots apiece with Louisville owning a 10-9 edge in shots on goal and a 9-6 advantage in corners – including two as time expired in the fourth quarter. With the loss, the Cardinals drop to 5-11 and finish the season with a 1-7 mark in ACC play.

"If you take out the first quarter, we competed, attacked with numbers and played solid defense," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "We had our opportunities late in the game. However in the first quarter Cal was explosive in their attack, had their way with us and we were caught on our heels. You cannot give up 11 shots and five corners in 15 minutes. We need to take a hard look at ourselves, how we start games and step up and take responsibility."

Louisville will wrap up the season on Sunday at UC Davis.