Cal Draws Against FIFA’s 16th-Ranked Team In The World
BERKELEY – California women’s soccer came back to earn a tie, 2-2, against FIFA’s No. 16 ranked team in the world, China, in front of a raucous crowd at Edwards Stadium on Saturday evening.
It was a back-and-forth affair early as neither team took a shot in the first 15 minutes as the teams felt each other out. China took the lead in the 18th minute as Liu Yanqiu hit a left-footed shot from the top of the box.
However, the Bears responded immediately Karlie Lema hit a long-distance strike from the top of the box in the 20th minute. The sophomore was clinical with Cal’s first shot attempt of the game. Lema was Cal’s leading goal scorer last season and added her first of the 2022 campaign.
After 29 minutes, Cal made 11 substitutions, utilizing their deep bench in this opportunity against a talented national team. Overall, 25 Bears saw action.
China added another goal in the 39thth minute as Zhang Rui found the back of the net from distance after a nicely worked play by China.
In the 70sth minute, Lema fired another shot across the face of the goal as the Bears tried to find an equalizer.
The Bears kept fighting Mia Fontana made a run down the left wing after working through multiple Chinese defenders to get the ball into the middle of the field. Keely Roymaking a late run from midfield, latched onto the end of the ball and slotted it to the keeper’s left to make the score 2-2.
After the exhibition, Cal will return to their non-conference schedule as they take on Saint Mary’s (CA) in Moraga on Thursday afternoon at 4 pm
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