Golden Nuggets: National Media Analyzes Cal's Opener in Sydney

Men's Soccer

Lima Heads Cal's 2-1 Win

Not only was it a sunny day in Berkeley, but it was a golden one for Nick Lima.

The senior defender guided California's 2-1 overtime win against Penn State recording both goals for the Golden Bears (1-0-1) at Goldman Field on Sunday.

Lima headed the game-winning goal in the 91' of action that sent the team blazing across the field in celebration. The Castro Valley, Calif., native proved clutch after knocking in his first of the day early in the second half to tie the match at 1-1.

Women's Soccer

Bears Sweep Weekend Slate

Three games into its home schedule and the California women's soccer team is looking very strong.

Redshirt junior midfielder Kelly Fitzgerald's second half penalty kick score was enough to give the No. 21 team in the nation a 1-0 win over the Portland Pilots on Sunday afternoon at Goldman Field, The Bears remained undefeated in Berkeley during the young season and the team's third shutout win at home matched the 2007 Golden Bears squad that also won its first three home contests with clean sheets.

Heading into its longest road trip of the season, a three-game trek between Texas and back to California, a bit of home cooking has the Golden Bears in an excellent position.

"I thought that was our best performance so far. Our energy and tempo was high and that allowed us to dominate the game throughout. We need to touch up our play in the attacking third but once we begin to click there, we'll be scoring lots of goals," Fitzgerald said of the team's play.

Men's Crew

Bears Impress in Worlds Competition

This past week 11 members of the Golden Bear Men's Rowing team headed to Rotterdam, The Netherlands to compete in the U23 and Junior world championships, and many returned with international hardware. In total the Bears grabbed six medals, four of which were gold.

Ferdinand Querfeld '19 and incoming freshman Christoph Seifriedberger got the regatta off to a good start for the bears on Thursday as they both competed as members of the Austrian coxless four that won gold. "I've gotten to know so many people from different nationalities which translates well into my daily student life; it also gave me a lifetime experience of representing my country successfully on such a big stage" said Querfeld on how this competition has helped him grow as a student athlete.

That same day Jack Cleary '18 made it to the medal stand, winning bronze for the Australian coxed four that led virtually the entire race but was edged out by New Zealand and the Italians at the line.

On Friday the Bears continued to reel in the medals as Martin Mackovic '18 won gold for Serbia in the pair. When asked how it felt to finally hang a gold medal around his neck he responded with "I was waiting for that moment for a long time, and it was a moment to remember."

Football

Webb solid in Cal debut, Bears beat Hawaii 51-31 Down Under

After three seasons at Texas Tech, quarterback Davis Webb made quite an impression in his first game as a graduate transfer at Cal.

Webb threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score in a stellar debut for Cal, leading the Bears to a 51-31 win over Hawaii on Saturday in college football's season opener at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

Told he had 441 yards passing — 38 for 54, with no interceptions, Webb said dryly: "Yeah, it was OK, I'm just glad we got the victory. Hawaii threw a few blitzes at us and our offensive line played well."

Khalfani Muhammad had 94 yards rushing and one touchdown, Chad Hansen had 14 receptions for 160 yards and two scores and Santa Cruz High alum Ashtyn Davis defended a pass in the fourth quarter to help Cal win the game played Down Under as a tourism initiative and to increase awareness of "gridiron" in the country.

"Phenomenal, I was energetic," Muhammad said of his 34-yard TD run in the second minute of the game. "My first one, and it's special, of course."