8th-Ranked UW Women's Soccer Squad Edges No. 9 Cal

Sunday, October 8

Seattle, Wash.

12:00 PM

University of Washington

11-1-0, 2-0

California

11-1-1, 1-1

California

Washington

October 08, 2000 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Washington Athletics

Oct. 8, 2000

Box Score

SEATTLE - Freshman Melissa Bennett scored the game-winning goal with less than three minutes remaining in regulation Sunday, lifting the eighth-ranked Washington women's soccer team to a 2-1 triumph over No. 9 and previously undefeated California before 1,708 spectators at Husky Soccer Field.

The Huskies (11-1, 2-0) extended their winning streak to five games, capping a weekend in which they swept their Bay Area conference rivals for the first time ever. Washington, which has a 5-1 record against ranked teams this season, defeated defending Pacific-10 Conference champion and 12th-ranked Stanford 1-0 on Friday. California (11-1-1, 1-1) surrendered more than one goal for the first time this season en route to its first loss.

"That was a very tough thing that we did today," said seventh-year Washington coach Lesle Gallimore. "We were fortunate because we scored against the flow of play. I felt a little unnerved by how much time they were spending in and around our box."

Bennett's decisive goal, her fourth of the season, came with 2:49 left in the game. Cal goalkeeper Maite Zabala dove to her right to deflect a shot from Husky senior Malia Arrant, but she was unable to collect the ball. Bennett ran on to the carom off Zabala and pushed the ball into the net from eight yards away at 87:11.

"I saw that Malia had it and she was wide open so I was just running for her to cross it to me. I stopped and then when I saw it loose I went and got it," Bennett explained. "The goalie did great all game so I wasn't thinking that it would hit her hands and pop out."

The all-time Washington state prep scoring leader, Bennett amassed 166 career goals at Seattle Christian High School to eclipse the previous record of 152 established by her sister, Tami Bennett. Tami, a senior who owns the Husky scoring record with 29 career goals, tallied the winning goal in Friday's 1-0 win over Stanford.

Arrant opened the scoring in the first half, accepting a through pass from Suzanne Culpepper (Woodinville HS) and touching it into the right side of the goal from eight yards out. Arrant's third goal of the season, scored at 32:56, gave UW a 1-0 lead it maintained the remainder of the first half.

Golden Bear forward Laura Schott tallied the equalizer inside the first two minutes of the second half for her conference-leading 17th goal. Kim Yokers' shot rebounded off the crossbar to Schott who unleashed a 12-yard blast off the underside of the crossbar and over the goal line.

Sophomore UW goalkeeper Hope Solo (Richland HS) was credited with five saves, including a diving denial of a dangerous attempt by Schott in the 11th minute. Zabala registered five saves for Cal which was outshot 18-16.

The Huskies make their first conference road trip of the season next weekend, beginning on Friday at 21st-ranked Arizona State.

NCAA Women's Soccer
(#8) Washington 2, (#9) California 1
Husky Soccer Field, Seattle, Wash.

Scoring

-- 1, Washington, Malia Arrant (Suzanne Culpepper), 32:56. 2, Cal, Laura Schott, 46:37. 3, Washington, Melissa Bennett, 87:11.

Shots -- Cal 16, Washington 18.
Saves -- Cal 5 (Maite Zabala), Washington5 (Hope Solo).
Corner Kicks -- Cal 4, Washington 1.
Fouls -- Cal 12, Washington 22.
Attendance -- 1,708.