The California lacrosse team managed a thrilling 11-10 victory over Xavier in a closely contested nonconference matchup, marking their first meeting. The Golden Bears (6-7) led for most of the game but had to withstand a late-game comeback from the Musketeers (2-9), ultimately securing their third win in one-goal games this season. Cal's victory also marked a significant milestone, achieving six wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since the program's early years. Key performances included two goals from Byr, Lillquist, and Wong, while Balara from Xavier led with four goals. The Golden Bears will face No. 13 Notre Dame next.

By the Numbers
  • Cal led by three goals on six occasions, the last at 8-5.
  • Cal is 3-1 in one-goal games this season.
  • Balara scored a game-high four goals for Xavier.
State of Play
  • Cal's victory marks their third consecutive season with six or more wins.
  • The Bears conclude their three-game road trip with a game against No. 13 Notre Dame.
What's Next

Cal looks to build on this momentum as they prepare for a challenging match against Notre Dame, which will be crucial for their ACC standings.

Bottom Line

Cal's resilience in tight games, coupled with strong individual performances, sets the stage for a promising finish to the season鈥攈ighlighting their growth as a competitive program in NCAA lacrosse.