The California Golden Bears field hockey program is preparing for a historic 2026 campaign that will celebrate its 50th year of competition. The schedule, recently released by the athletic department, outlines a 16‑game slate that blends home tradition with challenging road trips.
A milestone season
The Bears will open the season with a three‑game homestand at Underhill Field, hosting American, Central Michigan and Columbia before traveling to face Michigan and Michigan State. The lineup also includes matchups against seven teams that earned spots in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, among them the national champion Northwestern and ACC champion North Carolina.
New leadership
This season will be the first under the direction of co‑directors Tara Danielson and Steve Danielson, who have taken the reins after a period of transition. Their vision emphasizes a balanced attack, defensive resilience and the development of both veterans and newcomers.
Returning to the roster are 16 members from the 2025 squad, highlighted by leading scorer and NFHCA All‑American Liz Klompmaker. In addition, five fresh faces – four freshmen and a transfer – will join the program, adding depth and fresh energy to the lineup.
Road ahead
Conference play begins with a two‑game homestand against Louisville and North Carolina, followed by a trip to Virginia for a non‑conference test at VCU. The Bears will then return home for a final stretch that includes contests against Wake Forest, Duke, UC Davis, Boston College, Syracuse and a season‑ending showdown with Stanford. Throughout the schedule, Cal will meet seven teams ranked in the 2025 coaches poll, underscoring the competitive nature of the slate.