Cal Field Hockey: Bears' 8-Game Win Streak Ends in NCAA Tournament Opener

The Cal field hockey’s return to the NCAA tournament after a 17-year wait ended abruptly with a 3-0 loss to Miami-Ohio at Evanston, Illinois on Wednesday.

The Bears entered the match on an eight-game win streak — equaling the longest in program history. But Miami, which beat Cal 2-0 in the season opener way back in late August, sent Cal home with a decisive outcome.

The Bears (12-8) qualified for the NCAAs for the first time since 2006 after winning the America East Conference tournament in which they knocked off three teams that had beaten them during the regular season.

"I'm really proud of this team and what we have accomplished," coach Shellie Onstead said on Calbears.com. "It wasn't our day today. We had some good opportunities; I thought we turned the ball over way too much. But I'm proud of the way they fought.

"Our meeting afterward in the locker room was really validating over getting some perspective on the whole year. We are very proud of the America East Championship and what we've accomplished. I think the goal for the year was to accelerate this program to the next level and I think they've accomplished that and I'm incredibly proud of them."

Cal played the game without injured leading scorer Daniella Rhodes, who was MVP of the America East tournament.

Miami scored once each in the first, third and fourth periods, getting a pair of goals from Claudia Negrete Garcia, a senior striker from Spain, and one by Carlie Servis.

Cal outshot Miami 12-11 with eight shots on goal. Just five of Miami’s shots were on goal, but three of them reached the back of the net.

The RedHawks (15-7) advance to a second-round game Friday against host and No. 2 seed Northwestern (18-1).

Cover photo of the Bears celebrating during the America East tournament by Ben Stockwell, American East Conference

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo