Lancers Battle California to Scoreless Draw in Season Opener

Wednesday, August 12

Berkeley, CA

4:00 PM

California Baptist University

0-0-1, 0-0-0

University of California

0-0-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
California Baptist	0	0	0
California	0	0	0

Photo by: Matt Horrocks

Lancers Battle California to Scoreless Draw in Season Opener

8/12/2026 6:50:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Will Carter, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications & Digital Media

BERKELEY, Calif. – California Baptist opened the 2026 season with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Power Four opponent California on Wednesday afternoon.

The Lancers created several dangerous opportunities late in the match, including a penalty attempt from senior Anja Jestrovic and a shot off the crossbar from junior Nikki Mau, but neither side was able to find the game-winner.

"We scheduled this game intentionally on Day 1 of the regular season to test ourselves right away," said had coach Kristen St. Clair. "On the defensive side it was a solid group effort. Late in the game Mikayla OBrien came up with some key saves and Taylor Held blocked a point blank shot.

"Offensively we grew into the game. We showed good composure and patience , creating our attacking opportunities, forcing their goalkeeper into the game. I thought we had the game winner a few times but just narrowly missed or hit the posts."

To play an ACC team on the road is a tough challenge. A challenge this group met head on. I'm really proud of our team's heart and discipline today. We'll take this back to the training field and continue to get sharper and prepare for our next opponents.

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The match opened with both teams battling for possession in the midfield. California looked to create opportunities going forward, while the Lancer backline, anchored by junior Ava Lopez and graduate Taylor Held, kept the Golden Bears from generating many dangerous chances.

Graduate goalkeeper Mikayla O'Brien was strong in goal for CBU throughout the opening half, making three saves to keep California off the board.

The teams entered halftime scoreless after a defensive opening 45 minutes. The two sides combined for just four shots and two corner kicks in the first half.

CBU began to create more opportunities going forward in the second half, with senior transfer forwards Tyra King and Alyse Then helping the Lancers push into the attacking third.

The Lancers earned their best opportunity of the afternoon in the 70th minute when Jestrovic drew a foul inside the box to earn a penalty kick. Jestrovic stepped to the spot but sent her attempt just wide right to keep the match scoreless.

CBU continued to apply pressure while its defense turned away California's crosses and counterattacks.

With less than two minutes remaining, the Lancers nearly found the game-winner. Jestrovic sent a corner kick into the box, where Held fired a shot that struck the crossbar and bounced away from goal.

Neither side was able to break through in the remaining moments as the Lancers secured a 0-0 draw in their first match of the 2026 campaign.

O'Brien finished the afternoon with four saves to earn the clean sheet, while Mau and junior Katrina Marsh each put a shot on goal. Held and Lopez both played the full 90 minutes for the Lancer defense.

CBU will have a week off before returning to Riverside for its home opener against Portland State on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at CBU Soccer Stadium. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.