Cal women get bounce-back soccer win

Golden Bears shut out Davis on goals by freshman Deza, Nild

The Cal women’s soccer team bounced back from Friday’s heartbreaking defeat to USF with a 2-0 win over UC Davis on Sunday afternoon.

Freshman Luca Deza gave the Golden Bears (31-0) the lead in the 34th minute, and Miranda Nild struck in the 89th minute, as Cal earned its first road victory. Freshman midfielder Caroline Clark assisted both Cal goals, earning the first points of her collegiate career.

Cal notched its first shutout of the season, holding the Aggies (0-4-0) to just six shots. Golden Bears goalkeeper Emily Boyd was called upon to make four saves, as the senior picked up the 27th clean sheet of her career, extending her program record.

Cal was coming off its first loss of the season, 1-0 against USF.

“Coming out of Friday, we knew we had to win this game,” Nild, a former Castro Valley High star, said in a school release. “We were energized and focused. It was a great team effort today and we’re happy to come out with the win.”

But the Golden Bears were aggressive in the attack from the opening whistle, outshooting UC Davis 12-2 in the first half and 23-6 overall.

Cal tested the Aggies early and often, as seniors Heather Walleigh and Kelly Fitzgerald forced goalkeeper Alexis Smith into several nice saves in the opening minutes on shots from distance.

Cal broke through in the 34th minute through when Clark one-timed a ball to Deza in the middle. The freshman fired a shot 25 yards out that beat Smith to the top left corner for her first collegiate goal.

Cal continued to attack in the second half, creating opportunities, but was unable to find the finishing touch.

The Aggies had a dangerous chance in the final 10 minutes as Lauren Bouvia got in behind Cal’s defense for a one-on-one with Boyd. But the senior keeper came off her line well to cut down the angle and got a fingertip on the bouncing ball, forcing it over the bar for a corner.

• San José State allowed three goals in the first half in a 4-1 loss to Montana in the championship match of the Montana Cup.