Boxscore

RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Delaware field hockey team could not contain a strong offensive effort by No. 15 California as the Golden Bears downed the Blue Hens, 2-0, during a non-conference showdown at Crenshaw Field in Richmond, Va.

During the contest, the Delaware defense faced a barrage of shots but kept its opponent under three goals for the sixth straight game and the 11th time this season. Junior Rae Everson (at right) helped lead the defensive effort, starting her 44th straight game for the Hens.

Although Delaware kept the Cal attack under wraps for much of the first half, the Golden Bears finally struck in the 21st minute. On the play, Carolina Bistue found Ashley Glosz, who tipped the ball past Nikki Rhoades and into the cage. The goal, which was Glosz' team-leading 11th of the season, proved to be the game-winner.

Up one, the Bears kept up their onslaught after halftime, posting five early shots before Natalie Nurnberg found Gwen Belomy for her fourth goal of the season.

Now down by two, the Blue Hens went on a furious second-half rally that saw the team rip four consecutive shots. Unfortunately, three were batted away by goalie Kelly Knoche, while a fourth went wide.

Although Delaware did earn two late penalty corners in the final 10 minutes of action, the team could not convert either one as both shots were off-the-mark.

Despite being out-shot by a 19-9 margin during the contest, Delaware kept close behind a strong performance by Rhoades. The Hens' senior goalie held tough against the attack, notching seven saves in the cage.

The loss was the fourth straight for Delaware. It also evened the all-time series between the two schools at 2-2. The Hens won the last bout, 2-1, in 2005.

The game was hosted by the University of Richmond during California's second East Coast swing of the season. The Golden Bears are now 5-0 on their two cross-country trips.

Delaware continues its road trip on Sunday when the team travels to College Park, Md. to take on the No. 2 Maryland Terrapins at 2 p.m.