Late Game Rally Falls Short to Cal

Tuesday, March 24

Cincinnati, Ohio

5:30 p.m.

Xavier University

2-9, 0-1

California

6-7, 1-5

California

Xavier

03.24.26 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

Samantha Balara scored four goals in the Musketeers' 11-10 loss.

By: Abbey Curtis, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - The Xavier lacrosse team outscored Cal in the second half but were unable to overcome the Golden Bears, ultimately falling 11-10. The Musketeers have now dropped four games this year by a score of one.

Samantha Balara scored four goals for the second-straight game to lead the Xavier offense including the 10th goal with under a minute left to bring the Musketeers within one.

Xavier gave up a season-low 11 turnovers in the contest while forcing 15 from the Golden Bears. The Musketeers had a perfect clearing percentage in the second half while only giving up three turnovers.

Xavier falls to 2-9 (0-1 BIG EAST) while Cal improves to 6-7 (1-5 ACC). The Musketeers return to BIG EAST action on Saturday to host Marquette.

how it happened

California opened the game with three straight goals all within the first eight minutes. Haley Reeck then scored the Musketeers' first goal of the contest at the 10 minute mark.

The Golden Bears scored once more in the first quarter, but Samantha Balara followed up less than a minute later to make it a 4-2 Cal advantage at the first break.

The second quarter was a back-and-forth scoring output with Cal scoring the first followed up by a goal from Megan Droney on the free position.

The Golden Bears scored again midway through the second quarter to regain their three-goal advantage. Lily Hayes then contributed her fourth goal of the season in the final two minutes, but Cal extended their lead once again to take a 7-4 at the half.

Balara kicked off the second half with a quick goal after winning the draw and taking it all the way to the cage just nine seconds into the third quarter for her second goal of the night.

Cal had a response again, taking advantage of a free position goal to take an 8-5 lead. Balara scored her third a minute later to ignite a 4-0 Xavier scoring run.

Gabby Bouman scored on a behind-the-back shot off the assist from Maya Graham and was followed up by Genevieve Hathaway's 10th goal of her freshman campaign on another feed by Graham to tie the game at 8-8 heading into the final quarter.

Greer Simonton found the back of the net a minute into the fourth quarter to give Xavier their first lead of the night at 9-8. The Golden Bears then responded with three straight goals to regain an 11-9 lead.

Balara scored her fourth of the game on a free position shot with under a minute to go, making it a one-goal game once again.

Mya Miller won the final draw to bring the ball into Xavier's attacking third, but the Musketeers lost possession on an offsides call. Cal then turned the ball over on an errant pass while trying to clear, giving the Musketeers the final possession with 20 seconds left. Balara took the final shot for the Musketeers but just missed with a ricochet off the post to secure an 11-10 win for Cal.

notables

Samantha Balara recorded a hat trick for the second-straight game, totaling a career-high four goals for the third time this season. She also contributed three draw controls, a ground ball and a caused turnover.
Megan Droney had a goal and an assist for the second consecutive game. She notched her 13th assist to break the single-season school record.
Maya Graham contributed both of her assists in the third quarter as part of Xavier's 4-0 scoring rally.
Mya Miller recorded a career-high four draw controls to help Xavier total 10 draws, the second most in a game this season.
Colby Wasson totaled four ground balls and two caused turnovers. The junior ranks in the NCAA top-25 for both ground balls and caused turnovers per game.
The Musketeers maintained a season-best .385 shot percentage and .845 shot on goal percentage.
Balara and Droney each scored on a free position attempt for Xavier's most free position goals in a game this season.
Xavier out shot Cal 26-22 along with a 22-18 shot on goal advantage.