Bente Baekers, a Cal field hockey transfer from the Netherlands, had accomplished almost everything a player could dream of before arriving at Berkeley and winning its first conference title since 2006. Previously at Northwestern, she was a perennial All-American and won a NCAA Division I National Championship. Her playing career has spanned oceans and experiences she wouldn’t trade for anything.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Three hundred and sixty-four days have passed since Northwestern and UNC last met on the pitch. Nearly a full calendar year ago, fifth-year Tar Heel stalwart Erin Matson was the hero in her final collegiate contest, bagging the game-winning goal with less than two minutes on the clock. Her tally —.
In its first match of the 2023 NCAA field hockey tournament, Cal lost to Miami University Ohio for the second time this season, ending the Bears' brief stint in the tournament.
Cal field hockey is truly peaking before the America East Conference tournament: five straight wins, an overall healthy roster and a group that considers itself a family. It will ultimately have to win the conference championship to qualify for the NCAA tournament.