California Golden Bears will host Columbia at Underhill Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT, continuing a home‑opening sweep that has already produced a 2‑0 start to the season. Seven returning starters, including top scorer Liz Klompmaker and senior Holly Pears, will lead the charge under co‑directors Tara and Steve Danielson, whose combined coaching experience exceeds three decades.
Season Outlook
Liz Klompmaker’s impact was evident in the 2025 campaign, where she amassed 34 points, 16 goals and four game‑winning goals, earning ACC Co‑Offensive Player of the Week honors and third‑team NFHCA All‑American recognition. Her 34 career goals now sit seventh on Cal’s all‑time list, matching Hall of Famer Renee Chatas. The program also welcomes five newcomers, including freshmen Maria Scocco and Carine Van Wiechen, while the returning core remains intact.
Columbia, which posted a 7‑8 record in 2025, opens its West Coast schedule with a Friday contest at UC Davis before meeting the Bears. The Lions will field four players on the 2026 NFHCA Watchlist—Lizzie Adams, McKenzie Bloom, Margot Houle and Jacinta Etcheberry—adding depth to a roster that previously fell short of its ACC Championship aspirations.
After Sunday’s showdown, California will embark on a road trip that includes non‑conference matches against No. 8 Michigan and Michigan State, building on the early-season momentum that began with a 2‑0 start and tightly contested victories over American and Central Michigan.