BERKELEY, Calif. --- After 78 minutes of scoreless soccer, the No. 21 Cal Golden Bears converted a penalty shot before holding off the Pilots in the final moments to prevail 1-0 in a non-conference game played on Sunday afternoon at Goldman Field at Edwards Stadium. It's the first loss of the year for the Pilots, who nearly found the equalizer in the final two minutes.
 
Down a goal, the Pilots (2-1) increased their pressure in the attacking third and earned a pair of corners and a free kick from a dangerous spot. The first corner resulted in a shot from distance by Larkin Russell that was blocked, and Cal safely cleared the free kick and the second corner, which came with only 30 seconds remaining.
 
The Golden Bears' (3-1) Kelly Fitzgerald claims the game winner after slotting her PK into the left corner of the net in the 79th minute. The free attempt was awarded by the head referee, who called a foul on the Pilots after a thru ball set up Ifeoma Onumonu for a 1-v-1 opportunity. The goal is Fitzgerald's second on the year.
 
Both teams had some quality looks during the first 45 minutes, including in the 14th minute when Russell set up Hannah Griffiths Boston with a nice thru ball. But the Portland junior forward hit a shot wide right, as the game remained scoreless.
 
Portland keeper Hanna de Haan came through with a couple of saves in the first half to keep the match scoreless. On a Cal corner in the 24th minute, de Haan made a reaction save on a shot from point blank range. The follow on the rebound was then blocked before the Pilots cleared it away.
 
And then just before the half de Haan smothered an awkward bouncing ball as the two sides headed into the locker room knotted up at 0-0.
 
Possession was fairly even in the second half, and the Pilots did create some chances. But the Bears prevailed, despite five stops on the day by de Haan.
 
Next for the Pilots is a trip to Seattle, Wash., for the Husky Nike Invite next weekend. First for the Pilots at Husky stadium is a match-up with Seattle U on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Then on Sunday, Portland will face Cal Poly at 12 p.m.