A weekend trip to the Golden State proved to have its luminous moments, but along with the shining accomplishments came a significant, tarnishing blow. The seventh-ranked Deacs opened the road trip on Oct. 4th with a frustrating 1-0 loss to sixth-ranked California, rebounded to defeat Sacramento State 3-0 Oct 6 and then lost to Tennesse on Oct. 9

The loss to California came down to a matter of inches as a single goal made the difference between a 10th win and the first blemish on the Demon Deacons' record for the 2002 season. The Golden Bears scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute off the foot of senior midfielder Carly Fuller. Freshman midfielder Jamie Mangiardi slipped a pass through the Deacon defense and found junior midfielder Kim Yokers. Yokers found Fuller just outside the penalty box and Fuller's shot from the 18 yard line found its way into the side of the net. The game was tight throughout as neither team was able to control time of possession.

Their best scoring chance came in the 86th-minute when junior midfielder Alena Thom connected on a pass and sent a diving header towards the goal. But California's junior goalkeeper Sani Post stepped up to make an impressive save, one of the five she recorded in the game. California's stifling defense only allowed the Deacons 10 shots, a season low, while the Golden Bears took 16. The Deacs were prepared for the offensive onslaught and defensive intensity and responded well. Senior goalkeeper Erin Regan recorded seven saves and the defense sparkled. But one shot slipped through into the goal.

"It's expected that any quality team will get some chances," junior forward Katherine Winstead said. "We did well closing most of those down. Unfortunately, they converted one of their shots, and that was the game."

While the loss was disappointing, the Deacons only had 24 hours to regroup before facing Sacramento State. Having played well in the loss to California, the Deacons learned from the game in preparation for the second West Coast game.

"We competed well and we had our opportunities, but we didn't capitalize on them," Winstead said. "We know we need to do a better job finishing our chances. Even with the loss, though, we were able to take some positive things away from the game."

The Deacons did just that. A Deacon corner kick brought the defense up field into the penalty box and the attacking defense did not disappoint. Junior midfielder Ali Hunt sent the corner kick into the center of the field where junior defender A.B. Robbins headed the ball into the goal in the 33rd-minute. The Deacons took the 1-0 lead into halftime and only added to it in the final 45 minutes.

A defender added the second goal in the 72nd minute when senior Joline Carlton scored off an assist from freshman defender Melanie Schneider. The final insurance goal came with just minutes to play when sophomore Meagan Mullins found the back of Sacramento State's net.

The Deacons took 17 shots compared to six for Sacramento State. Regan added four saves to her season totals, recording her fourth shut out of the season.

The Deacs would lose 2-0 to 13th-ranked Tennessee after the first half ended scoreless. Tennessee scored in the 59th and 73rd minutes of play.